The influence of saliva pepsin concentration on subjective severity of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUNDS: Some studies believe that there is a correlation between larygopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) and allergic rhinitis (AR). Salivary pepsin concentration (SPC) test is a gradually accepted objective examination method for LPRD in recent years.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of coexisting LPRD on subjective severity of seasonal AR and the potential role of pepsin.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Adult patients with seasonal AR were prospectively enrolled. Subjective severity of AR was assessed using the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) and visual analog scale (VAS). Potential LPRD was assessed using the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and SPC measurements.

RESULTS

No significant correlation was found between the RSI value and the TNSS and VAS values (both p > .05). In contrast, the SPC value was found to be significantly associated with both of TNSS and VAS values (p < .05). Among the symptoms included in the TNSS, the SPC value was significantly and positively associated with nasal congestion and runny nose (both p < .05), but not with sneezing and nasal itching (both p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Coexisting LPRD may aggravates seasonal AR symptoms. SPC could be used to examine whether AR patients have combined LPRD and to determine the necessity of anti-reflux treatment.