Laryngopharyngeal reflux: The microbiota theory

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a prevalent disease associated with non-specific symptoms and findings. Many gray areas persist in the pathogenesis of LPR, the diagnosis and the treatment. Symptoms are poorly correlated with fiberoptic signs or hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring findings. The therapeutic response remains uncertain with some resistant patients to medical or surgical treatment. The development of LPR-symptoms and findings may be related to the refluxate of a myriad of gastroduodenal enzymes, which may modify the laryngopharyngeal and oral microbiome leading to mucosa maintenance and recovery impairments. The diet of patient is important because it may impact the microbiome composition and some foods are known to increase the number of hypopharyngeal reflux events. The number of hypopharyngeal reflux events may be increased by autonomic nerve dysfunction that may have an important role in the persistence of LPR-symptoms.