[Is chronic laryngitis associated with Helicobacter pylori? Results of a prospective study]

H. pylori is found in the stomach of patients with chronic gastritis. The infection is usually transmitted by the gastro-oral route and bacteria could be identified in saliva and dental plaque. An essential cause of chronic laryngitis is gastroesophageal reflux. The aim of the study was to evaluate if a H.pylori-associated chronic laryngitis exists. 38 patients with chronic laryngitis underwent gastroscopy. Biopsies were taken from the gastric antrum and body, lower, middle and upper esophagus. H. pylori was diagnosed by rapid urease test and histology. 14 of the patients (36.8%) were H.pylori-positive, but the bacteria could not be identified between stomach and larynx. 24 patients were H. pylori-negative. Seven patients (18.4%) suffered from esophagitis, six of these patients were H. pylori-negative. The H. pylori-infected patients received triple therapy for one week, in case of esophogitis Omeprazole 20 mg BID was prescribed. Six weeks later a follow-up endoscopy was performed. The eradication rate was 12/14 (85.7%), in all patients with reflux the esophagitis was cured. The laryngitis was clinically and endoscopically unchanged in ten of the twelve (83.3%) patients after successful treatment for H. pylori; in the remaining two patients as well as in the two H. pylori-positive patients the laryngitis was improved. In six out of the seven patients with esophagitis the laryngitis had healed completely and was improved in the remaining patient. It may be concluded that there is no evidence for the existence of H. pylori-associated laryngitis, suggesting that acid reflux is the underlying etiology.