Globus sensation caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease

This study was designed to examine whether or not gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is implicated in globus sensation.

The subjects were 25 patients (16 men/9 women; mean age: 51, range 25-69 years) complaining of globus sensation with one or more of four laryngeal findings suspected of having GERD, such as pooling of saliva, erythema of posterior one-third of larynx, inter-arytenoids edema, and granuloma. All 25 patients were administrated a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for a period of 8 weeks. All were given esophageal endoscopies, laryngoscopes, and questionnaire before and after PPI dosing. The questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate changes in globus sensation and three symptoms specific to GERD including heartburn, regurgitation, and belching. Subjective symptoms were totalled by the over all scores of the three subjective symptoms which served as an index of severity of GERD.

Fifty-two percent (13/25) of patients had reflux esophagitis. The esophagitis were improved after PPI administration except one case. The incidences of GERD symptoms were high (heart burn 68% (17/25), belching 49% (10/25) and regurgitation 76% (19/25)), and most of these symptoms ameliorated by PPI administration. The laryngeal findings were improved in all patients. Subjective symptoms were improved in 68% (17/25) of globus patients. The improvement rate of total score (before PPI dosing/after PPI dosing) was compared between the two groups: one with improved globus sensation (17 patients) and the other without (8 patients). The improvement rate was significantly higher in the group with improved globus sensation (P<0.05). This means that globus sensation improved because of the improvement in GERD.

GERD is therefore concluded to be an inducing factor of globus sensation.