Correlation of obstructive sleep apnoea and laryngopharyngeal reflux: phmetry study.

OBJECTIVE

To study the correlation of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

DESIGN

A descriptive study.

SETTING

Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt.

PATIENTS: 62 patients with polysomnography confirmed OSA.

INTERVENTION: Patients were evaluated with ambulatory 24-h double channel pH monitoring.

RESULTS

Mean reflux symptom index in the study group was 9 ± 5.5, and it was > 13 in all patients with severe OSA. Signs of LPR reflux were present in 34 (55%) patients. Abnormal reflux was detected in the distal oesophagus in 41 patients (66%) and in the proximal oesophagus in 21 patients (34%). Patients with severe OSA had significantly higher nocturnal LPR reflux episodes compared to patients with mild disease (P < .05). Number of reflux episodes and total duration of reflux during sleep are significantly correlated to degree of OSA (P < .05). No difference was found in relation to age or sex. Daytime reflux was not related to the degree of obstructive sleep apnoea (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

LPR is common in patients with OSA. Patients with severe OSA have significantly higher nocturnal LPR. This should be considered when treating this group of patients.