Treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux improves asthma symptoms in asthmatics

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is defined as the movement of gastric content toward laryngopharynx and is a common occurrence in patients with asthma. This study aimed (1) to determine the incidence of LPR in patients with asthma by assessment of symptom scores and indirect laryngoscopy and (2) to determine the effect of LPR treatment on asthma symptom scores.

A total of 28 patients with mild to moderate asthma (24 women, 4 men, mean age 46 +/- 6 years) were included in the study, and after all patients completed LPR and asthma symptom questionnaires, indirect videolaryngoscopy was performed. In patients with LPR, daily treatment with 40 mg pantoprazole was administered for 3 months. Symptom score assessment and indirect videolaryngoscopic examination were repeated at the end of treatment.

A diagnosis of LPR was made in 21 of 28 patients (75%) by indirect laryngoscopy. A statistically significant improvement was observed in asthma and LPR symptoms in patients with LPR after the treatment (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively).

LPR is a frequent condition in asthma patients. When the LPR symptom questionnaire and indirect laryngoscopy findings are suggestive of LPR, treatment with a proton pump inhibitor provides improvement in both asthma and LPR symptoms.