Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease - LPRD

Area of Science:

• Family Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) involves stomach content reflux into the esophagus, causing inflammation in the throat and larynx.
• LPRD presents with diverse symptoms and is often diagnosed late, highlighting the need for a unified approach in primary care.
• It is frequently misdiagnosed or considered a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of LPR symptoms in family medicine settings.
• To evaluate diagnostic methods and appropriate primary care treatment strategies for LPRD.
• To assess the effectiveness of a proposed diagnostic and treatment algorithm in primary healthcare.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, descriptive cohort study was conducted over one year.
• The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaire was used for initial screening.
• Patients with positive LPR results (RSI > 13) received treatment per a suggested algorithm and were monitored.

Main Results:

• Out of 2123 patients screened, 390 (18.4%) tested positive for LPR symptoms.
• The treated group showed an 82% improvement rate in response to the basic treatment protocol.
• A significant majority of patients responded positively to interventions managed within primary care.

Conclusions:

• Nearly one in five patients presenting to family medicine exhibit LPR symptoms.
• Primary healthcare settings can effectively implement prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for LPRD using established algorithms.
• Most LPRD cases can be managed in primary care, with only a small fraction requiring referral to specialized fields.