Multidimentional assessment of voice quality in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

ABSTRACT

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common disorder in world population. As a result of the regurgitation of acid content from the stomach to laryngopharynx and larynx, secondary damage of laryngeal mucosa occur, which is highly sensitive to hydrochloric acid, and morphological changes are observed. Symptomatology of laryngopharyngeal reflux is varied which makes differential diagnosis difficult.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was the assessment of voice quality, morphological changes in larynx as well as etiology of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.</br> <b><br>Material and method:</b> The severity of dysphonia was classified using perceptual and acoustic methods as well as RSI. Morphological control was performed using HSDI technique and RFS. Etiological factors were examined basing on barofunction of upper esophageal sphincter and 24-hour pH-metry of air exhaled expressed in Ryan score.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> In the majority of patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, dysphonia was recognized, intensified especially in women (G3R2B0A0S3), which was confirmed in Yanagihara classification (type III) and parameters of acoustic analysis. Voice disorders were the most frequently the result of edema and congestion of interarytenoid area, aytenoids and vocal folds. Those symptoms were caused by the decrease of upper esophageal sphincter tension and acidity of exhaled air which was confirmed in 24-hour pHmetry.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> It is important to educate physicians and patients about the possibilty of negative impact of reflux disease on the occurrence of voice quality disorders. Current diagnostic methods for dysphonia guarantee accurate recognition and therapeutic success improving the prognoses of patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.</br>.