Reflux symptom index versus reflux finding score.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the correlation between the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Reflux Finding Score (RFS) to determine the laryngeal signs and symptoms that were most significantly correlated.


METHODS
Forty randomly selected patients were included in the study. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who fit the inclusion criteria. Videostroboscopic samples for the study group were reviewed and RFS-rated by 6 experienced raters on 2 different occasions to evaluate the interrater and intrarater reliability. The RSI and the RFS were statistically compared regarding both the total scores and the individual parameters.


RESULTS
The RFS ranged from 0 to 20, and the RSI varied from 14 to 38. There was a high agreement between the raters' scores, demonstrating high interrater and intrarater reliability for RFS. Additionally, the RSI and RFS were highly correlated (p < .0001). Hoarseness was highly correlated with vocal fold edema and thick laryngeal mucus (p < .01), and excessive throat clearing correlated significantly with thick endolaryngeal mucus (p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates a highly significant correlation between the RFS and the RSI.
Mesallam
Tamer A
TA
Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
Stemple
Joseph C
JC
Sobeih
Tarek M
TM
Elluru
Ravindhra G
RG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology