Abstract
AIM: To clinically evaluate the patients of laryngopharyngeal reflux(LPR) and their response to Proton Pump Inhibitors(PPIs) using laryngeal Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS). METHOD: This prospective observational study was conducted on 128 patients attending the ENT-OPD of VSSIMSAR,Burla,India, who had persistent laryngeal symptoms for more than 2 months.Data was collected using standardized RSI and RFS after taking detailed history and laryngoscopic examination.Patients who were diagnosed of LPR on the basis of their RSI & RFS were subjected to treatment with PPI-Pantoprazole & were called back for follow up at 2nd, 4th and 6th months.Pre and post treatment RSI & RFS were compared using appropriate statistical tests and results with p-value< 0.01 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall effect of PPIs on all symptoms & signs of LPR,included in RSI and RFS respectively,is statistically significant except on swallowing (not statistically significant at p <0.01) showing a careful usage of RSI & RFS while diagnosing LPR clinically.Study also elucidated that PPI are effective in relieving symptoms of LPR patients.Evaluating Pearson correlation coefficient,the value of R=0.3717;R2 =0.1382 shows low positive correlation between the RSI & RFS.RSI & RFS are related to each other and any change in the RSI will affect the value of RFI and vice versa. CONCLUSION: From this study we conclude that LPR is prevalent in age of 28-37 years & has female preponderance.PPIs are effective in treating LPR.Though RSI and RFS are effective and valid parameters for managing LPR cases but have to be used cautiously while interpreting the results.