title: Does laryngopharyngeal reflux cause intraoral burning sensations? A preliminary study.
abstract: Intraoral burning sensations are a common problem in the otolaryngological practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate if laryngopharyngeal reflux can cause intraoral burning sensations by measuring oropharyngeal acid reflux. Patients with recurring intraoral burning sensations underwent oropharyngeal pH monitoring in our outpatient clinic. The pH catheter was placed at the level of the uvula. The catheter contained an externally worn transmitter, which wirelessly sent the data to a monitor. In addition, patients were instructed to indicate meals or the occurrence of burning sensations by pressing provided buttons on the monitor. Corresponding events of burning sensations and a significant decrease in oropharyngeal pH values should be visualized. Twenty two patients suffering from recurring intraoral burning sensations underwent oropharyngeal pH measurement for 21-25 h. We could find oropharyngeal reflux episodes in 11 patients. However, we could not detect any episodes of burning sensations in the mouth corresponding with a decrease in oropharyngeal pH values. Our results suggest that there is no causal connection between LPR episodes and the occurrence of intraoral burning sensations in the examined patients. Although further studies with more patients are necessary in the future, we conclude from our findings that recurring intraoral burning sensations are not an indication for proton pump inhibitor therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berghaus
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tschiesner
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olzowy
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Reichel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057045:Laryngopharyngeal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008063:Thioctic Acid; D009853:Omeprazole