Utility of 24-hour pharyngeal pH monitoring and clinical feature in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND

pH monitoring can reflect the changes in H+ in the airway.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the utility of pharyngeal pH monitoring in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Clinical data from 956 suspected LPRD patients from February 2016 to March 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-one patients had positive Ryan score. The positive rates of reflux symptom index (RSI), reflux finding score (RFS), RSI and RFS and RSI or RFS were 14.7%, 32.5%, 21.9%, 7.8% and 46.5%, respectively. The RFS in the positive Ryan score group was higher than that in the negative Ryan score group [(6 ± 3.5) vs. (4.8 ± 2.9)], while the RSI was not significantly different from that in the negative Ryan score group [(10.9 ± 8) vs. (11.3 ± 7.1)]. Regarding Ryan score as the gold standard in the diagnosis of LPRD, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of identifying LPRD by RSI/RFS were 15.9%, 86.3%, 50.4% and 54%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Ryan score, RSI and RFS have poor correlation in detecting LPRD. Some patients may be missed with the Ryan score as a diagnostic criterion.

SIGNIFICANCE: Pharyngeal pH monitoring is useful and more appropriate index is expected.