[Proximal gastro-esophageal reflux monitoring in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease].
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.
Karoui
Sami
S
Service de Gastro-entérologie A. Hôpital la Rabta.
Zouiten
Lilia
L
Serghini
Meriem
M
Sahtout-Jouini
Samia
S
Matri
Samira
S
Kallel
Lamia
L
Boubaker
Jalel
J
Filali
Azza
A
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