Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity parameters of the percentage of time the pH is <4 and >7, as well as the total number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes in 24 hours, in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.
Study design: Retrospective controlled study.
Setting: University hospital.
Subjects and methods: The study was conducted on 46 patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease and 58 healthy controls. Patients and controls underwent 24 hours of dual-probe pH monitoring of the distal and cervical esophagus. Patients completed a Reflux Symptom Index questionnaire and underwent esophageal manometry. Data concerning the percentage of time the pH was <4 and >7 and the number of reflux episodes registered at the cervical esophagus were collected and evaluated.
Results: The percentage of time the pH is <4 and the number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes seem to be a reliable diagnostic laryngopharyngeal reflux criterion reaching satisfactory sensitivity (81% and 83%, respectively). Although the pH >7 parameter appeared statistically different between the 2 groups (P < .001), the sensitivity of the test appeared to be poor (55%).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the importance of the absolute number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes in 24 hours in the diagnosis of patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux, proposing it as a new diagnostic criterion.