Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Correlation Between Symptoms and Signs by Means of Clinical Assessment Questionnaires and Fibroendoscopy. Is This Sufficient for Diagnosis?

Objective

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is diagnosed by the presence of laryngeal signs and symptoms. Some studies have noted that signs and symptoms may be nonspecific and may have poor correlation. The goal of this study was to assess correlation of the reflux finding score (RFS) and reflux symptom index (RSI) as a fibroendoscopic assessment protocol.

Patients and method

Asample of 34 consecutive volunteers with no prior history of voice disorders were enrolled. All completed a self-administered laryngeal symptom questionnaire (amended RSI) and underwent a comprehensive transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy to document LPR findings in a reflux finding score (RFS).

Results

We found a statistically significant correlation between RSI and RFS. This correlation is greater when the RFS score reaches 7 or more points.

Conclusions

In view of the cost and system overload implied by the use of pH-metry, empiric pharmacological therapy is warranted on the basis of a diagnosis of LPR based on RFS and RSI.

Objetivos

Algunos autores señalan que los síntomas y los signos del reflujo faringolaríngeo (RFL) son inespecíficos y no se correlacionan entre ellos. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la correlación entre el Reflux Finding Score (RFS) como protocolo de valoración fibroendoscópica y el Reflux Symptom Index (RSI).

Pacientes y método

Se estudió una muestra de 34 pacientes sin historia previa de alteraciones laríngeas, a quienes se entregó el cuestionario RSI (modificado) y se practicó una fibroendoscopia flexible para evaluar el RFS.

Resultados

Hay correlación estadísticamente significativa entre el RFS y el RSI, especialmente si el resultado del RFS es ≥7 puntos.

Conclusiones

Debido a los costes y la saturación asistencial que supone el uso de pH-metría, pensamos que el diagnóstico basado en la aplicación del RFS y el RSI justifica el tratamiento farmacológico empírico.