title: Photographic Objective Alterations for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in clinical practice is generally made subjectively based on history, symptoms, and endoscopic assessment. This study presents the diagnostic role of the digital photographic assessment of the laryngopharyngeal region for LPR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients with LPR symptoms and 35 healthy volunteers were evaluated using the Reflux Finding Scores (RFS) and the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). The results of these scales were recorded in 72 patients representing group 1 with LPR diagnosis; they returned after 1 and 2 months of treatment as groups 2 and 3, respectively. Thirty-five volunteers represented group 4. Laryngopharyngeal regions of all subjects were examined and photographed endoscopically. Red, green, and blue (RGB) values of particular oropharyngeal and laryngeal points were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RSI and RFS values of group 1 were significantly different from the other three groups, as were the scores of group 2; however, the comparison of the RSI and RFS values of groups 3 and 4 did not reveal a statistically significant difference. Laryngopharyngeal RGB values also duplicated statistical significance as above.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of RGB values can be a cheap and easy-to-use method to quickly provide objective and corroborative information to help in the diagnosis of LPR in conjunction with subjective methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozturan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Remzi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: alperyenigun@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yenigun
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Veyseller
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yavuz Selim
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yildirim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D057045:Laryngopharyngeal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diagnosis; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Objective; RGB