Self-reported symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux using the reflux symptom score in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with many chronic diseases among which is laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). Objective To investigate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)-related symptoms in patients with OSA using the Reflux Symptoms Score (RSS) and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). Methods The medical records and video-recordings of patients with OSA who presented to a tertiary referral center were reviewed. The diagnosis of OSA was made using the STOP-BANG questionnaire and/or polysomnography. The prevalence of LPR-related symptoms was assessed using both the RSS and RSI questionnaires. Results Thirty-nine patients were included in this study. Twenty-seven patients (69.2%) had a positive RSS in comparison to only 7 (17.9%) using the RSI (p = .052). Subgroup analysis of those who had polysomnography (n = 24) showed that 18 patients (75%) had a positive RSS in comparison to only 5 patients (20.8%) using the RSI. Patients in the high-risk category for OSA were also found to have a higher prevalence of LPR-related symptoms using both the RSS and RSI questionnaires in comparison to those in the lower risk categories. Conclusion The results of this investigation indicate that the prevalence of LPR-related symptoms is higher using the RSS in comparison to the RSI.