Laryngopharengeal Reflux in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Does “Silent Laryngopharengeal Reflux” Really Exist?

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder resulting from the reversed flow of gastroduodenal contents into the esophagus, and producing different symptoms, while laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a disorder resulting from the reversed flow of gastric contents into the hypopharynx. The aim of this work is to evaluate LPR in cases of GERD. Methods: The present study was performed on fifty GERD patients diagnosed by gastroscope. LPR was assessed by reflux symptoms score (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS). Accordingly, patients are classified into: Group I = 25 patients with manifest LPR, and Group II = 25 control patients without LPR symptoms. Results: GERD accounts for 17.4% of attendants of gastroscope unit, where manifest LPR accounts for 29.1% of GERD cases recording mean RSI and RFS 16.48 and 8.44 respectively. Silent LPR accounts for 8% recording mean RFS 7. Conclusion: There is a significant direct proportional relationship between severity of GERD and the RSI and RFS (p = 0.015 and 0.005 respectively).