Risk of laryngopharyngeal reflux in Hubble Bubble smokers presenting with hoarseness.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the risk of laryngopharyngeal reflux in Hubble Bubble smokers in comparison to non-smokers.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who presented with hoarseness were reviewed. Patients with a history of Hubble Bubble smoking and a control group of non-smokers were included in the study. The risk of laryngopharyngeal reflux was assessed using the Reflux Symptom Index and the Reflux Finding Score.

RESULTS

Eighty-six Hubble Bubble smokers and 86 controls were included in the study. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean RSI between the two subgroups (10.05 ± 8.27 vs. 5.05 ± 6.58; p < 0.001). Hubble Bubble smokers were 4.24 times more likely to have a Reflux Symptom Index score greater than 13 in comparison to non-smokers (odds ratio = 4.24; 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.97-9.14).

CONCLUSION

Hubble Bubble smoking increases the risk of laryngopharyngeal reflux by two-fold. A larger prospective study is needed to substantiate the association between Hubble Bubble smoking and laryngopharyngeal reflux.