Symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is believed to be correlated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Aim: Evaluate the prevalence of LPR symptoms in patients with OSA and determinate its possible correlations with other variables. Method: A cross-sectional study was designed in a University Hospital9s sleep unit. Patients followed up for OSA were contacted by telephone. Interviewers were pulmonologist. Patients asked the Arabic version of reflux symptom index (RSI). Subjects with RSI score ≥ 13 were considered positive for LPR. Clinical data were collected from medical records. Patients were then divided in 2 groups: G1 (with LPR) and G2 (without LPR). Patients with a previous history of head, neck or digestive tumors/radiation or surgery were excluded. Results: During the study period, 111 patients (63men, 48women) were enrolled. Mean age was 50.5±12.4 years. Mean BMI was 34.3±6.6 Kg/m 2 ; 77% were obese. According to AHI value, 20 patients had light OSA, 21 had moderate OSA and 70 presented severe apnea. Twenty eight patients (25%) had suggestive symptoms of LPR. Mean RSI score was 8.57±6.1. Comparison between G1 (n=28) and G2 (n=83) showed no differences in regard to age and sex. However patients with LPR were sleepier and had more severe OSA ( p ). Prevalence of LPR was higher among obese than non obese (respectively 24% vs 8%, p>0.05 ). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of LPR symptoms was moderate, our study showed that LPR is associated to OSA severity and obesity. This study was based only on RSI; signs of laryngopharyngeal inflammation weren9t assessed. The high prevalence of signs of reflux in patients with OSA calls for more studies.