title: [Proximal gastro-esophageal reflux monitoring in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency and associated factors of proximal acid reflux in patients with ENT manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and to compare the pHmetric parameters in the distal and the proximal esophagus in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an open-prospective study, including consecutive patients with chronic pharyngitis or laryngitis. Twenty-four hour esophageal pH-monitoring was performed, using a double sensor catheter. Proximal reflux was defined according to the recently published recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 43 patients (17 men and 26 women), mean age: 39.5 years (15 - 67 years). Distal reflux was detected in 35 patients (81%). Proximal reflux was detected in 26 patients (60%). Ratio of numbers of proximal to distal reflux episodes was 0.34 (0 - 0.90). The proximal reflux episodes were characterized by a small number of episodes exceeding 5 minutes (2.6 + 4.4 vs 10.8 + 9.1; p < 0.0001), a less duration of longest reflux episode (15.6 + 23.5 vs 50.2 + 61.6 minutes; p < 0.0001) and better esophageal clearance (1.6 + 1 vs 2.5 + 1 minutes/reflux: p = 0.006), associated with a significant correlation between numbers of proximal reflux episodes and distal acid exposure time (r = 0.52: p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Proximal reflux is frequent in patients with chronic pharyngitis or laryngitis. Proximal reflux episodes are correlated to distal acid exposure and associated with a better esophageal clearance.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie A. Hôpital la Rabta.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karoui
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zouiten
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serghini
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahtout-Jouini
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matri
authors.forename: Lamia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kallel
authors.forename: Jalel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boubaker
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult