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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Simultaneous Laryngopharyngeal and Conventional Esophageal pH Monitoring
Published on: December 14, 2020
Voice disorders and gastroesophageal reflux
Maja Sereg-Bahar1, Rado Jansa, Irena Hocevar-Boltezar
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia. maja.sereg@kclj.si
Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology
|November 17, 2005
Summary
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) significantly impacts voice quality, comparable to vocal fold polyps. Treatment with esomeprazole effectively improved voice parameters in LPR patients, highlighting its importance in managing dysphonia.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Gastroenterology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can lead to serious voice and laryngopharyngeal disorders, affecting patient quality of life.
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a significant, often overlooked, cause of dysphonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of esomeprazole in treating LPR.
- To compare the diagnostic utility of patient history, videoendolaryngoscopy, and oesophago-gastroscopy in LPR.
- To assess voice quality changes in LPR patients before and after treatment.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 43 patients with suspected LPR.
- Diagnosis based on history, videoendolaryngoscopy, oesophago-gastroscopy, and esophageal biopsy.
- Voice analysis (acoustic and Voice Handicap Index - VHI) before and after 8-week esomeprazole treatment.
- Comparison with a control group of 36 patients with vocal fold polyps.
Main Results:
- LPR diagnosis confirmed in all 43 patients via history and videoendolaryngoscopy.
- GER signs detected in 88% of patients via oesophago-gastroscopy and biopsy.
- Significant voice parameter improvement observed post-esomeprazole treatment.
- Patient history and videoendolaryngoscopy were superior to oesophago-gastroscopy for LPR diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Esomeprazole is highly effective in treating LPR and improving voice quality.
- LPR should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysphonia.
- Combined diagnostic methods (history, videoendolaryngoscopy, oesophago-gastroscopy with biopsy) are valuable for suspected GER and LPR.
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