Gastroesophageal reflux and laryngitis: a skeptic's view.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngitis are common problems in the community. To prove a causal relationship between GERD and laryngitis, one must show the mechanism for acid-induced laryngitis, establish the frequency of association, have a gold standard for diagnosis of the condition, and show that treatment that reduces acid reduces laryngitis in double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. This article examines each of these components and finds that all are wanting as proof for reflux-induced laryngitis. The best approach to prove the association between GERD and laryngitis will likely lie in well-designed treatment trials.
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University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109, USA.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012107:Research Design; D015983:Selection Bias; D016896:Treatment Outcome