title: Reflux symptom index and reflux finding score in otolaryngologic practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether patients with abnormal Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) benefit from proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open, multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with suspected reflux-associated laryngologic symptoms were evaluated by 40 community practice otolaryngologists using RSI and RFS. Patients were treated with pantoprazole 40-80 mg/d for 8-12 weeks if RSI was greater than 9 and RFS greater than 7. Pre- and posttherapeutic RSI and RFS were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test and additionally controlled with the symmetry test of Bowker.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1044 patients were included over a period of 20 months. Median total score of RSI before therapy was 12 and decreased to 3 (P≪0.001). Median total score of RFS before therapy was 16 and decreased to 6 (P≪0.001). Assessment of the treatment effect by otolaryngologists and patients was judged as being excellent in at least 50%. In 2% of the patients, gastrointestinal side effects were documented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RSI and RSF are easy to administer in the routine care of patients suspected of having laryngopharyngeal reflux. Patients identified by positive results of these tests have a high likelihood of excellent improvement after 8-12 weeks of PPI treatment. By implementation of RFS and RSI in daily use, most patients may not need time-consuming and cost-intensive examinations in the first-line assessment of LPR. These examinations can be reserved for nonresponders, and uncontrolled prescription of PPIs can be restricted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. w_habermann@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Habermann
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Devaney
authors.forename: Heinz F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Hammer
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057045:Laryngopharyngeal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077402:Pantoprazole; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D000077402:Pantoprazole