Quality of life in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare quality of life (QL) parameters in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) versus healthy controls, to determine the impact of clinical signs to QL, and to assess changes in QL parameters after treatment.


METHODS
Prospective, open, clinical study.


METHODS
One hundred outpatients with LPR and 109 healthy voice controls were enrolled. LPR patients underwent endoscopy and received omeprazole for 3 months. Results of endoscopy revealed 79 patients without esophagitis and 21 with, giving two subgroups of LPR patients. QL was evaluated using voice handicap index (VHI), hospital anxiety and depression scale, disability in social activities, and well-being in general (W-BVAS).


RESULTS
The mean scores for total VHI and functional, physical, and emotional functioning domain subscales were found to be significantly higher in LPR patients versus controls (P < .0001), with no difference among LPR subgroups. Abnormal anxiety was one third in both LPR subgroups versus 6.4% of controls (P < .001). Both LPR subgroups patients had significantly reduced social activities and significantly lower mean W-BVAS score than controls. LPR symptoms had a significant relation with all tested QL parameters, whereas laryngoscopic findings had a significant relation with VHI and W-BVAS only. All mean QL parameters scores improved after 3-month omeprazole treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
QL in LPR patients with or without esophagitis is impaired significantly in many aspects. Impairment of QL is more associated with symptoms than laryngoscopic findings. Treatment with omeprazole significantly improved QL in both LPR subgroups patients.
Siupsinskiene
Nora
N
ENT Department, Kaunas Medical University Hospital, Kaunas, Lithuania. norai_s@yahoo.com
Adamonis
Kestutis
K
Toohill
Robert J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009853:Omeprazole