The role of laryngopharyngeal reflux in the pathogenesis of Reinke's edema

Abstract

Objective:To determine the significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux(LPR) in Reinke's edema. Method:Sixteen patients who have been diagnosed as Reinke's edema between February 2014 to June 2016 were included in this study. The control group included fifty vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer patients for the corresponding period. RSI,RFS,numbers of laryngopharyngeal acid reflux events,and time of laryngopharyngeal acid exposure were evaluated between two groups. Result:The mean RSI of the Reinke's edema was 11.2±3.8,the mean RFS was 8.2±1.5,the median numbers of laryngopharyngeal acid reflux events was 4.0［0.0；9.0］,the time of laryngopharyngeal acid exposure was 5.6［0.0；16.7］min.The rate of LPR positive in Reinke's edema patients was 100.0%（16/16）by RSI and RFS,56.2%（9/16）by 24 hour MII-pH monitoring.The mean RSI of the control group was 8.6±3.2,the mean RFS was 6.8±2.1,the median numbers of laryngopharyngeal acid reflux events was 0.0［0.0；3.0］,the time of laryngopharyngeal acid exposure was 0.0［0.0；4.3］min.The rate of LPR positive in control group was 58.0%（29/50）by RSI and RFS,28.0%（14/50）by 24 hour MII-pH monitoring.There were statistically significance in RSI,RFS,numbers of laryngopharyngeal acid reflux events,and time of laryngopharyngeal acid exposure between two groups(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Laryngopharyngeal reflux might play a role as an etiologic factor in Reinke's edema,awareness should increase about acid suppression therapy in Reinke's edema.