The Association between Pathologies of Voice and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

Abstract

Voice and speaking are integral parts of a person’s self-identity and ability to communicate on a day-to-day basis. There have been numerous studies investigating the link between gastro-esophageal reflux disease and its concomitant association with a range of other disorders across the breadth of medicine. In this review, we will focus on the relationship between conditions which contribute to pathologies of voice and GORD. These will include Laryngopharyngeal reflux, Globus Pharyngeus and Paroxysmal Laryngospasm. To perform this review, we scoped papers from journals in Gastroenterology, Otolaryngology and General Medicine across the medical literature focusing on PubMed indexed articles. Inclusion criteria included English as the primary language of the work and peer-reviewed journals. We scoped a range of papers from 1988 to the current decade. More than 40 original research and review papers—in addition to guidelines and books—were utilised to supplement the review. The key terms outlined related to “Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease”, “Laryngopharyngeal reflux”, “Globus Pharyngeus”, “Paroxysmal Laryngospasm” as well as their respective abbreviations were used in the initial scope of the search. We found that there was a link between Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and pathologies of voice due to the intercurrent relationship with pathologies which contribute to the changes in voice aforementioned. Investigating and implementing effective treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and related disorders can help individuals to regain their natural voice—an attribute closely linked to their sense of self—resulting in a profoundly positive psychological impact.