The Importance of the Number of Reflux Episodes in the Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Our study demonstrates the importance of the absolute number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes in 24 hours in the diagnosis of patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux, proposing it as a new diagnostic criterion.

Airway pH monitoring in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea using the Dx‐pH oropharyngeal probe: preliminary report of a prospective cohort study

“…In our study, we were able to record the pH data for about 6 hours before subjects went to sleep, so we could investigate reflux patterns in different periods. Third, although some studies used the criteria of conventional oesophageal pH monitoring to diagnose reflux diseases, there is still no gold standard of Dx‐pH to diagnose LPR. For example, the 95th percentile for the number of events below pH 5.0 in normal individuals was 8.1 in the study by Sun et al .…”

“…27,28 In our study, we were able to record the pH data for about 6 hours before subjects went to sleep, so we could investigate reflux patterns in different periods. Third, although some studies used the criteria of conventional oesophageal pH monitoring to diagnose reflux diseases, [32][33][34] there is still no gold standard of Dx-pH to diagnose LPR. For example, the 95th percentile for the number of events below pH 5.0 in normal individuals was 8.1 in the study by Sun et al 22 but it was 10.7 in the study by Chheda et al 23 Therefore, we used the Dx-pH oropharyngeal probe to compare the reflux events and pH values without determining how many patients were diagnosed as having LPR in different groups.…”

Effects of a proton pump inhibitor on laryngeal irritation in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux

“…Our study evaluated the results of 30 patients who experienced at least one reflux attack at the proximal probe of the pH-meter and were treated. [9] The youngest of these patients was 24 years of age and the oldest was 62.…”

“…To date, the most commonly used diagnostic test for LFR detection remains ambulatory 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring. [9] Smit et al, in 1998, described a relatively easy and reliable technique for the placement of the proximal probe. [10] This method has been used in our study.…”

“…[8] The most sensitive and specific test for LFR is ambulatory 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring. [9] In evaluating the results of pH monitoring, the technical difficulties associated with such examinations and the fact that reflux may vary among individual patients should be taken into account. In patients with intermittent LFR, pH monitoring may not detect reflux if it does not manifest on the day of the evaluation.…”