Change of acoustic parameters before and after treatment in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of acoustic parameters as an indicator of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) treatment efficacy.


METHODS
A prospective case series analysis.


METHODS
From January to September 2005, we prospectively analyzed 40 patients who were diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux by 24-hour ambulatory double-probe pH monitoring. Laryngopharyngeal reflux patients were treated medically and voice analysis was conducted three times: before treatment, 1 to 2 months after treatment, and 3 to 4 months after treatment. Jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) were analyzed as the acoustic parameters. Pre- and posttreatment reflux symptom index and reflux finding score were documented.


RESULTS
Jitter, shimmer, and HNR had improved significantly at 1 to 2 months after treatment and were maintained at 3 to 4 months after treatment. Jitter was significantly correlated with reflux symptom index.


CONCLUSIONS
Acoustic parameters can be used as indicators of treatment efficacy for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicne, Hangyang University, Seoul, Korea.
bBong Joon
bJ
Jin
Yong Seop
YS
Lee
Seung Won
SW
Jeong
Jin Hyeok
JH
Jeong
Seung Hwan
SH
Lee
Kyung
K
Tae
D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology