title: [Warsaw A-E scale of endoscopic pharyngo-laryngeal findings associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux. Correlation with reflux finding score (RFS)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Changes associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are usually related to the posterior part of the larynx and called "posterior laryngitis". Pathologic reflux-induced mucosal changes within the larynx are easily detected with the use of videolaryngoscopy (VLS). To the multitude of described changes within the larynx that are associated with the existence of LPR Belafsky introduced assessment with 26 scale points describing changes in the larynx (RFS; reflux finding score).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to introduce our proposal of a new scale of endoscopic pharyngo-laryngeal findings associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux named Warsaw A-E scale. For that reason the new scale was compared to the RFS scale of Belafsky.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 249 patients were involved in this restospective study. The reflux disease was confirmed by gastroenetrologists. Larynx was evaluated with the use of videolaryngoscopy. Morphological changes within the larynx and pharynx were assessed using 1) the RFS scale according to Belafsky, 2) and using our proposed scale named Warsaw A-E scale. The results were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients received at least 7 points in RFS scale of Belafsky. Using Warsaw A-E scale, there were no patients found with the videolaryngoscopic image of the larynx classified as A type. In both the women's group, as well as the group of men prevailed type C. The comparison of the two scales showed correlation between them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed a statistically significant correlation of Warsaw A-E scale of laryngopharyngeal changes with a commonly used scale of RFS according to Belafsky. It was found that the Warsaw A-E scale is easier to use and less time consuming.
authors: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Kierownik Kliniki: prof. dr hab. med. Kazimierz Niemczyk, Warszawa, Polska. Electronic address: adomeracka@wum.edu.pl.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Domeracka-Kołodziej
authors: Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnętrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Kierownik: prof. dr hab. n. med. Ryszarda Chazan, Warszawa, Polska.
authors: Elżbieta M
authors: EM
authors: Grabczak
authors: Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnętrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Kierownik: prof. dr hab. n. med. Ryszarda Chazan, Warszawa, Polska.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Dąbrowska
authors: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Kierownik Kliniki: prof. dr hab. med. Kazimierz Niemczyk, Warszawa, Polska.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Lachowska
authors: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Kierownik Kliniki: prof. dr hab. med. Kazimierz Niemczyk, Warszawa, Polska.
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Osuch-Wójcikiewicz
authors: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Kierownik Kliniki: prof. dr hab. med. Kazimierz Niemczyk, Warszawa, Polska.
authors: Kazimierz
authors: K
authors: Niemczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057045:Laryngopharyngeal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Chronic cough; Dysphonia; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Larynx; Videolaryngoscopy; dysfonia; krtań; przewlekły kaszel; refluks; wideolaryngoskopia