Laryngeal examination is superior to endoscopy in the diagnosis of the laryngopharyngeal form of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Patient journey in gastroesophageal reflux disease: real-world perspectives from Italian gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and ENT specialists

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a challenging condition that involves different physicians, such as general practitioners (GPs), gastroenterologists, and ears, nose and throat (ENT) specialists. A common approach consists of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) administration. Adjunctive pharmacological treatment may have a role in the management of non-responders to PPIs.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to survey GPs and different medical specialists to investigate the medical approaches to patients reporting GERD symptoms. In addition, we examined the use of adjunctive pharmacological treatments in patients with GERD symptoms who do not respond to PPIs.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

METHODS

A survey was conducted among a large sample of gastroenterologists, GPs, and ENT specialists. Symptoms were divided into typical and extraesophageal, and their severity and impact on quality of life were explored with the GERD Impact Scale and with Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). All therapies administered usually for GERD were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 6211 patients were analyzed in this survey. Patients with typical symptoms were 53.5%, while those with extraesophageal symptoms were 46.5%. The latter were more frequently reported by ENT patients (53.6%, p < 0.0001). The GSI was higher in patients followed by gastroenterologists (9 points) and GPs (9 points) than ENT specialists (8 points), but the RSI was higher in the ENT group (14.3 ± 6.93) than in GPs and gastroenterologist groups (10.36 ± 6.36 and 10.81 ± 7.30, p < 0.0001). Chest pain had the highest negative impact on quality of life (p < 0.0001). Of the 3025 patients who used PPIs, non-responders showed a lower GSI when treated with a combination of adjunctive pharmacological treatments and bioadhesive compounds, than with single-component drugs.

CONCLUSION

Patients with GERD referred to a gastroenterologist had more severe disease and poorer quality of life. The combination of adjunctive pharmacological treatments and bioadhesive compounds seems to be effective in the management of PPI refractory patients.

Tonghua Liyan granules in the treatment of Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease with stagnation of phlegm and qi syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Background: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is an extraesophageal syndromic manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Despite the increasing incidence of and concern about LPRD, treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is unsatisfactory. Here, LPRD was treated with Tonghua Liyan (THLY) granules in combination with PPIs to evaluate treatment efficacy and possible adverse reactions. Methods: Seventy-six LPRD patients with stagnation of phlegm and qi syndrome (SPQS) were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received THLY granules combined with rabeprazole capsules. The control group received THLY granule placebo combined with rabeprazole capsules. A parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with these two groups. The treatment cycle was 8 weeks. The reflux symptom index (RSI), clinical symptom score, salivary pepsin content, reflux finding score (RFS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GerdQ) were used to evaluate clinical efficacy. The final efficacy rate was evaluated according to the RSI and clinical symptom score. Results: Compared with those at baseline, all the indicators in the experimental group and control group significantly improved (p < 0.01). In terms of the RSI, clinical symptom score, and RFS, the experimental group had a higher degree of improvement (p < 0.05), and the overall efficacy rate was higher (p < 0.05). In terms of the salivary pepsin concentration and GerdQ, there was no significant difference between the test group and the control group (p > 0.05). Both groups of safety indicators showed no abnormalities and did not cause any allergic reactions in the body. Conclusion: Compared with PPIs alone, THLY granules combined with PPIs are more effective in the treatment of LPRD patients with SPQS in terms of symptoms and signs. This combination treatment, because of its higher clinical efficacy and lack of obvious adverse reactions, is worthy of clinical promotion and further in-depth study. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100046614.

The Role of Empirical Treatment with Proton Pump Inhibitor as a Diagnostic Tool in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

The presentations of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are diverse and include chronic hoarseness, sensation of foreign body in the throat, sore throat etc. 24 h pH monitoring considered the gold standard of investigation for LPR is costly, cumbersome and not readily available at all centers. Empirical trial of Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) as a diagnostic tool after assessment by Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Findings Score (RFS) is a cheaper, simple and readily available alternative. The objectives of the study were to determine clinical manifestations in patients presenting with LPR and to evaluate the role of empirical treatment with PPI as a diagnostic tool in LPR. 100 patients were divided into experimental group (RSI ≥ 13 and RFS ≥ 7) and control group (RSI < 13 and RFS < 7). Omeprazole trial was given to experimental group and assessed for RSI and RFS at 04 and 08 weeks. Statistical analysis was done within the group and between the groups. (1) The response rate to Omeprazole at 04 and 08 weeks interval (RSI<13 and/or RFS<7) was 60% and 76% respectively. (2) The response to Omeprazole given to the experimental group with RSI≥13 and RFS≥7 was significant at 04 weeks and 08 weeks duration (P<0.0001). RSI and RFS are good clinical tools to assess and diagnose patients with Laryngopharyngeal reflux. Based on the clinical diagnosis an empirical trial of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) can be given to patients for duration of 02 months resulting in a good response.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and GERD: Correlation Between Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score

To study the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using clinical scoring and endoscopy. Data was collected from a sample of 100 patients with GERD symptoms who presented to ENT out-patient department, for a duration of 2 years. Patients were evaluated using Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaire and Reflux Finding Score (RFS). All patients underwent videolaryngoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patient with positive findings underwent treatment with proton pump inhibitors and were followed up for 3 months. Out of 100 patients, 23 had LPR, 19 had GERD, 40 had LPR + GERD, 18 were normal. Among the LPR group, the predominant symptoms were hoarseness of voice, globus sensation and heartburn. Majority of GERD group had globus sensation, dysphagia and heartburn as their predominant symptoms. On laryngoscopy, in both LPR and LPR + GERD group, most common finding was interarytenoid erythema and vocal cord edema. On esophagogastroduodenoscopy, in both GERD and LPR + GERD group, esophagitis was the most common finding. RSI value was highest in patients with LPR + GERD. RFS value was high in LPR group followed by groups of LPR + GERD and GERD. RSI and RFS are easily administered, highly reproducible, low cost clinical scoring symptom questionnaire which can identify the patients with LPR. 82.6% of LPR patients had significant RFS scoring but with no significant findings in OGD. This study also illustrates the importance of PPI therapy in LPR patients with no evidence of GERD.

Is the Impedance Baseline Helpful in the Evaluation of Globus Patients?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been suggested to be responsible for 23-68% of globus cases. The impedance baseline (IB) acquired by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring has been proven to represent esophageal mucosal integrity. We aimed to investigate whether the IB is helpful for evaluating globus patients.

METHODS

Twenty-four-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance pH tracings (MII-pH) were evaluated in globus patients. Differences in the IB between the acid reflux, non-acid reflux, and no reflux groups were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained to determine the optimal measurement point from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients were analyzed. MII-pH showed that acid reflux, non-acid reflux, and no reflux were present in 13, 5, and 44 patients, respectively. The acid reflux group had a significantly lower IB than the other groups at a location 3 cm from the LES. ROC curve analysis revealed that placement at a position 3 cm from the LES resulted in moderate diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 0.88). When we set 2500 Ω as the cut-off value for acid reflux at a position 3 cm from the LES, the additional diagnostic yield for acid reflux was increased by 19.4% compared with that obtained by MII-pH.

CONCLUSIONS

IB is complementary to pH findings enabling identification of a subset of patients with co-existing acid reflux. Catheter place-ment at a location 3 cm from the LES and a cut-off value of 2500 Ω may be reasonable criteria for estimating acid reflux.

Hypopharyngeal pepsin and Sep70 as diagnostic markers of laryngopharyngeal reflux: preliminary study

INTRODUCTION

The management of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been challenging. Hypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance (HMII) has shown to increase the sensitivity in diagnosing LPR. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential use of pepsin and Sep70 as diagnostic tools for detection of LPR in combination with HMII.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tissue samples of hypopharynx, distal esophagus, and gastric cardia were collected from patients with LPR symptoms regardless of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) diagnosis and underwent HMII to detect LPR and high esophageal reflux (HER: reflux 2 cm distal to upper esophageal sphincter) events. Patients were classified into two groups based on the presence of abnormal proximal exposure (APE), which was defined as LPR ≥1/day and/or HER ≥5/day: (1) positive-APE and (2) negative-APE. Patients with typical GERD symptoms without LPR symptoms who did not undergo HMII were used as a "control" GERD group. Protein was isolated from tissue samples and Western blot analysis of pepsin and Sep70 was performed. Pepsinogen was used as a control to differentiate pepsin from pepsinogen. Relative quantitation was performed using Image Studio Lite Software with normalization against the internal actin of each blot.

RESULTS

From October 2012 to September 2013, 55 patients underwent HMII. Of 55, 20 patients underwent biopsies from hypopharynx (17 positive-APE and 3 negative-APE). Ten patients with typical GERD symptoms were identified from tissue bank as a "control" GERD group. Pepsin was detected in distal esophagus and hypopharynx in all groups without significant difference among groups. However, Sep70 in distal esophagus and hypopharynx was significantly depleted in the positive-APE group compared to the other groups (p = 0.032 and 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Depletion of Sep70 with the presence of pepsin in the hypopharynx may indicate cellular injury in laryngopharynx due to constant proximal reflux. However, the normative data for these markers have to be validated.

Edema of the interarytenoid mucosa seen on endoscopy is related to endoscopic-positive esophagitis (EE) and is an independent predictor of EE

BACKGROUND

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is defined as the retrograde flow of gastric contents up through the esophagus to the larynx and hypopharynx; this is an extra-esophageal manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although both LPR and GERD are caused by reflux of stomach contents, their clinical presentations and treatments differ.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the present study, we assessed esophago-gastroendoscopic findings related to GERD, specifically endoscopic-positive esophagitis (EE), laryngopharyngeal findings, and GERD symptoms on the 12-question frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG). Then, independent predictors of EE were analyzed, and relationships among EE, laryngopharyngeal findings, and patients' symptoms and characteristics were investigated.

RESULTS

Hiatal hernia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-6.23, P-value 0.019) and edema of theinterarytenoid mucosa (OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.26-16.3; P-value 0.035) were significantly related with EE and independent predictors of EE. However, patients' characteristics and the FSSG score had no significant relationship with EE; there was no relationship between patients' characteristics and EE, regardless of its severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Although LPR symptoms had no significant relationship with the findings of EE, hiatal hernia and edema of the interarytenoid mucosa were significantly related with EE and were considered to be independent predictors of EE.

Airway reflux, cough and respiratory disease

It is increasingly accepted that the effects of gastro-oesophageal reflux are not limited to the gastrointestinal tract. The adjacent respiratory structures are also at risk from material ejected from the proximal oesophagus as a result of the failure of anatomical and physiological barriers. There is evidence of the influence of reflux on several respiratory and otorhinological conditions and although in many cases the precise mechanism has yet to be elucidated, the association alone opens potential novel avenues of therapy to clinicians struggling to treat patients with apparently intractable respiratory complaints. This review provides a description of the airway reflux syndrome, its effects on the lung and current and future therapeutic options.

Reflux and aerodigestive tract diseases

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can present with a wide variety of extraesophageal symptoms. In particular, the type of disease characterized predominately by laryngopharyngeal reflux may be difficult to diagnose because of the absence of regurgitation or heartburn. The available battery of diagnostic tools is often insufficient to confirm a diagnosis of reflux, so the diagnosis is often made by elimination. In many cases, treatment with proton pump inhibitors will relieve symptoms and respiratory complications, despite the persistence of non-acidic reflux. Such treatment is often employed to "confirm" the diagnosis, as measured by patient response. Many diseases have been related to this condition in the literature. The authors review knowledge about these manifestations and their relationship with refluxed gastric content. Physiopathology, symptoms and treatment are reviewed in order to clarify our understanding of laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases and related manifestations.

Laryngoscopy findings and histological results in a rabbit gastroesophageal reflux model

The role of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in laryngopharyngeal reflux is controversial. In this study, we used an animal model to investigate the association between LES dysfunction and reflux laryngitis. Twelve healthy New Zealand albino rabbits (2.5-3.5 kg) were utilized in this study. The animals were divided into two groups. Eight rabbits underwent total cardiomyectomy to induce reflux, and the remaining four rabbits underwent a control sham operation. A laryngoscopy and a 24-hour intra-esophageal pH-metry were performed prior to surgery and again 2 and 8 weeks postsurgery. After the final laryngoscopy, all animals were sacrificed to obtain histological results. Total cardiomyectomy significantly increased the reflux index, the duration of the longest reflux episode and the total number of episodes that occurred in 24 h postsurgery. No significant difference was observed in the reflux finding score (RFS) between preoperative and 2-week postoperative rabbits (P = 0.11). But there was a statistically significant change in the RFS before and 8 weeks after the induction of reflux from 4.6 ± 0.9 to 8.3 ± 3.6 (P = 0.02). Submucous gland hyperplasia and inflammation were significantly increased in the reflux group compared to the control group. The results of this study suggest that chronic lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction is associated with reflux laryngitis in rabbits.

Relationship between history, laryngoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy for diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with typical GERD

The techniques used in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have insufficient specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and laryngological examination in the diagnosis of LPR. A total of 684 diagnosed GERD and suspected LPR patients were prospectively scored by the reflux finding score (RFS) which was suggested by Koufman. A total of 484 patients with GERD who had RFS ≥ 7 were accepted as having LPR. 248 patients with GERD plus LPR on whom an endoscopic examination was performed were evaluated. As a control group, results from 82 patients with GERD who had RFS <7 were available for comparison. The GERD symptom score (RSS) was counted according to the existence of symptoms (heartburn/regurgitation) and frequency, duration, and severity. The reflux symptom index (RSI) suggested by Belafsky et al. was also evaluated. The relationship between esophageal endoscopic findings, RSS, RFS and RSI was investigated. Mean age was 46 ± 12 (19-80). The mean values of RSS, RFS, and RSI were 18.9 ± 7.7, 10 ± 2.2, 16.6 ± 11.9, respectively. Erosive esophagitis was detected in 75 cases (30%). Hiatus hernia was observed in 32 patients (13%). There was no correlation between RSS and RFS, RSI. The severity of esophagitis did not correlate with the severity of the laryngeal findings. LPR should be suspected when the history and laryngoscopy findings are suggestive of the diagnosis. EGD has no role in the diagnosis of LPR.

Oral implications in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To emphasize oral complications in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Interest of pediatricians to conduct an orodental examination or to include a dental examination performed by a dentist should be encouraged, as dental erosion, for instance, may be present in these children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Dental caries, dental erosion, mucosal lesions and oral bacterial load have been studied extensively in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but there is no sound consensus about the impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on oral health parameters.

SUMMARY

Gastroesophageal reflux and oral health deserve to be better understood and recognized by medical staff, pediatricians in particular. Literature on this subject contains many case reports and some cross-sectional studies, resulting in confusing conclusions for clinicians and researchers. Dental caries, dental erosion, mucosal lesions and oral bacterial load are the most frequently studied items in these kinds of study. Dental erosion seems to be an oral finding that should be studied in depth in these children, as conflicting results have been reported in literature, the latter being the result of the use of different indexes to collect clinical data.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with reflux esophagitis

AIM: To assess the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients with reflux esophagitis and disclose factors contributing to the development of LPR.

METHODS: A total of 167 patients who proved to have reflux esophagitis by endoscopy were enrolled. They received laryngoscopy to grade the reflux findings for the diagnosis of LPR. We used validated questionnaires to identify the presence of laryngopharyngeal symptoms, and stringent criteria of inclusion to increase the specificity of laryngoscopic findings. The data of patients were analyzed statistically to find out factors related to LPR.

RESULTS: The prevalence rate of LPR in studied subjects with reflux esophagitis was 23.9%. Age, hoarseness and hiatus hernia were factors significantly associated with LPR. In 23 patients with a hiatus hernia, the group with LPR was found to have a lower trend of esophagitis grading.

CONCLUSION: Laryngopharyngeal reflux is present in patients with reflux esophagitis, and three predicting factors were identified. However, the development of LPR might be different from that of reflux esophagitis. The importance of hiatus hernia deserves further study.

Review article: The laryngological manifestations of reflux disease; why the scepticism?

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing clinical and experimental evidence of its existence, otolaryngological manifestations of reflux disease remain controversial, concerning diagnosis as well as treatment.

AIM

Proper understanding of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).

METHOD

Review of literature.

RESULTS

Scepticism concerning LPRD is based upon differences between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and LPRD; lack of specificity and sensitivity of diagnostic tests to confirm LPRD; non-specificity of laryngological symptoms, which are difficult to distinguish from other causes of upper respiratory tract inflammation; non-specificity of laryngological signs in laryngoscopy, with high intra- and inter-observer variability in evaluation; diagnosis of LPRD is essentially only based on a combination of diagnostic signs and symptoms, which cannot be attributed to other pathology; slow, or sometimes lack of, response of LPRD symptoms to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication and lack of evidence concerning efficacy of PPIs in placebo-controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONS

LPRD remains a diagnosis by exclusion and resolution of symptoms following 4-month trial of 40 mg PPI twice daily is, for all practical purposes, considered proof of the initial diagnosis. However, non-response does not exclude LPRD as PPIs have no influence on noxious non-acid components of the refluxate.

Extra-esophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common medical condition affecting approximately 35-40% of the adult population in the western world. The role of GERD in causing extra-esophageal symptoms including laryngitis, asthma, cough, chest pain, and dental erosions is increasingly recognized with renewed interest among gastroenterologists and other specialists. Direct injury by mucosal contact, and vagally mediated reflex from distal esophageal acid exposure are the two possible mechanisms by which reflux-related extra-esophageal tissue injuries may occur. Several investigational techniques may be used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux; however, because of the poor sensitivity of endoscopy and pH monitoring, and the poor specificity of laryngoscopy, empiric therapy with proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) is now considered the initial diagnostic step in patients suspected of having GERD-related symptoms. In those who improve with such therapy, it is likely that GERD may be the cause of the extra-esophageal presentation. In those who are unresponsive to such therapy, other diagnostic testing such as impedance/pH monitoring may be reasonable in order to exclude continued acid or weakly acid reflux. However, PPI-unresponsive patients usually have causes other than GERD for the extra-esophageal symptoms and signs.