The association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngeal disorders has been recognized since the late 1960s. Chronic laryngeal signs and symptoms associated GERD are often referred to as reflux laryngitis or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). However, the cause-and-effect relationship between GERD and LPR still remains elusive..
A research article to be published on July 28, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Dr. Yung-Chih Lai at Cathay General Hospital conducted the study to assess the prevalence rate of LPR in patients with reflux esophagitis and to disclose the factors contributing to the development of LPR.
A total of 167 patients proved to have reflux esophagitis by endoscopy were enrolled. They would receive laryngoscopy to grade the reflux findings for the diagnosis of LPR. A validated questionnaire was used to identify the presence of laryngopharyngeal symptoms. A stringent criteria of inclusion was adopted to increase the specificity of laryngoscopic findings. The data of patients were then analyzed statistically to find out factors related to LPR.
In their research, LPR was present and associated with reflux esophagitis. Age, hoarseness, and hiatus hernia were factors significantly associated with LPR. However, the development of LPR might be different from that of reflux esophagitis based on the findings of the study. The importance of hiatus hernia in LPR was revealed and deserves further study to elucidate in the future.