[Diagnosis of proximal gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with rhonchopathy and sleep apnoea].
BACKGROUND
The close relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and sleep-related breathing disorders allows the consideration of treatment with proton pump inhibitors as a feasible alternative for patients with snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnoea syndrome. Nevertheless, the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in the proximal oesophagus must be identified objectively with a double channel oesophageal pH-metry.


OBJECTIVE
To identify clinical data allowing the selection of patients most likely to have proximal oesophageal reflux, and, therefore, candidates for oesophageal pH-metry.


METHODS
Between January 2004 and September 2006, 121 patients were prospectively included. In these patients, a nocturnal polysomnography and a 24 hour double channel pH-metry were performed on the same day. We compared statistically the clinical data, endoscopic examination of the upper airway and the pH-metry results.


RESULTS
A good correlation was observed between the presence of symptoms suggesting pharyngo-laryngeal acid reflux and endoscopic examination of this area (P< .009). However, the comparison between clinical data and pH-metry results was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical symptoms and endoscopic examination alone are not good tools to determine the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in the pharynx, in this group of patients. Its presence must be ascertained by a double channel oesophageal pH-metry.
Esteller More
Eduard
E
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología. Hospital General de Catalunya. San Cugat del Vallès. Barcelona. España. esteller@abaforum.es
Huerta Zumel
Paula
P
Modolell Aguilar
Inés
I
Segarra Isern
Francesc
F
Matiñó Soler
Eusebi
E
Enrique González
Ana
A
Ademà Alcover
Joan Manel
JM
D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*