Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is an extraesophageal manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux characterized by throat symptoms (hoarseness, chronic cough, globus). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are first-line therapy, but evidence for their efficacy in LPR is mixed. Objective: We evaluated the clinical impact of a PPI regimen on LPR symptoms and findings in a prospective interventional study. Methods: One hundred adult patients with confirmed LPR (Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) ≥13 and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) >7) were enrolled. All received Rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily for 6 weeks. RSI and RFS were recorded before and after therapy. Secondary analyses assessed the influence of lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, diet). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests for RSI (normally distributed) and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for RFS (non-normally distributed). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Treatment yielded marked improvements. Mean RSI fell from 21.28 to 9.38 and mean RFS from 10.2 to 3.2 (both p<0.001). All individual RSI and laryngoscopic findings improved (p<0.001). Smokers experienced significantly less RFS improvement than non-smokers (p<0.05); alcohol use and diet did not significantly alter outcomes. Conclusion: 6 weeks of high-dose rabeprazole significantly alleviated LPR symptoms and laryngeal findings in this study. The data support PPIs as an effective component of LPR management, though residual symptoms in some patients – especially smokers – highlight the importance of lifestyle modification and adjunctive therapies. Keywords:
DOI: 10.53555/d31w1e61
Author: Dr Nishant Gupta
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412476919