Potential association between PSCA rs2976395 functional variant and pancreatic cancer risk.

Correlated regions of systemic interindividual variation (CoRSIV) represent a small proportion of the human genome showing DNA methylation patterns that are the same in all human tissues, are different among individuals, and are partially regulated by genetic variants in cis. In this study we aimed at investigating single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within CoRSIVs and their involvement with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) risk. We analyzed 29,099 CoRSIV-SNPs and 133,615 CoRSIV-mQTLs in 14,394 cases and 247,022 controls of European and Asian descent. We observed that the A allele of the rs2976395 SNP was associated with increased PDAC risk in Europeans (p = 2.81 × 10-5). This SNP lies in the prostate stem cell antigen gene and is in perfect linkage disequilibrium with a variant (rs2294008) that has been reported to be associated with risk of many other cancer types. The A allele is associated with the DNA methylation level of the gene according to the PanCan-meQTL database and with overexpression according to QTLbase. The expression of the gene has been observed to be deregulated in many tumors of the gastrointestinal tract including pancreatic cancer; however, functional studies are needed to elucidate the function relevance of the association.

5'-Isoforms of miR-1246 Have Distinct Targets and Stronger Functional Impact Compared with Canonical miR-1246 in Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease involving genetic and epigenetic factors, such as miRNAs. Sequencing-based studies have revealed that miRNAs have many isoforms (isomiRs) with modifications at the 3'- and 5'-ends or in the middle, resulting in distinct targetomes and, consequently, functions. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the putative targets and functional role of miR-1246 and its two 5'-isoforms (ISO-miR-1246_a and ISO-miR-1246_G) in vitro. Commercial Caco-2 cells of CRC origin were analyzed for the expression of WT-miR-1246 and its 5'-isoforms using small RNA sequencing data, and the overabundance of the two miR-1246 isoforms was determined in cells. The transcriptome analysis of Caco-2 cells transfected with WT-miR-1246, ISO-miR-1246_G, and ISO-miR-1246_a indicated the minor overlap of the targetomes between the studied miRNA isoforms. Consequently, an enrichment analysis showed the involvement of the potential targets of the miR-1246 isoforms in distinct signaling pathways. Cancer-related pathways were predominantly more enriched in dysregulated genes in ISO-miR-1246_G and ISO-miR-1246_a, whereas cell cycle pathways were more enriched in WT-miR-1246. The functional analysis of WT-miR-1246 and its two 5'-isoforms revealed that the inhibition of any of these molecules had a tumor-suppressive role (reduced cell viability and migration and promotion of early cell apoptosis) in CRC cells. However, the 5'-isoforms had a stronger effect on viability compared with WT-miR-1246. To conclude, this research shows that WT-miR-1246 and its two 5'-isoforms have different targetomes and are involved in distinct signaling pathways but collectively play an important role in CRC pathogenesis.

Associations between NOD2, IRGM and ORMDL3 polymorphisms and pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease in the Lithuanian population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent GWAS and meta-analyses have revealed about 200 susceptibility genes/loci for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, only a small number of studies were performed in early-onset IBD. The aim of this study was to assess the association between NOD2, IL23R, ATG16L1, IRGM, IL10, NKX2-3 and ORMDL3 variants and early-onset IBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 76 affected individuals (30 with Crohn's disease [CD] and 46 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) at the age of ≤17 years and 158 matched controls recruited in Lithuania were genotyped for the known genetic susceptibility variants in NOD2 (Arg702Trp (rs2066844), Gly908Arg (rs2066845) and Leu1007insC (rs2066847)), IL23R (rs11209026), ATG16L1 (rs2241880), IRGM (rs4958847), IL10 (rs3024505), NKX2-3 (rs11190140) and ORMDL3 (rs2872507) genes. RESULTS: Variants in NOD2 (Leu1007insC) and IRGM genes increased risk for CD (OR=6.56, 95% CI: 2.54-16.91, P=1.21×10-5 and OR=2.32, 95% CI: 1.05-5.14, P=0.033; respectively); whereas a variant in ORMDL3 gene was strongly associated with UC (OR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.23-3.20, P=4.15×10-3). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed that polymorphisms in NOD2 (Leu1007insC) and IRGM genes are associated with increased risk of CD; whereas the ORMDL3 variant is associated with susceptibility to UC in the Lithuanian early-onset IBD population.

Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is a special form of adult food allergy when allergic symptoms are elicited when triggering factor such as exercise is added after ingestion of wheat. Besides the molecular characteristics of wheat proteins, the gastric function is decisive for the allergenic potential. Alterations in the gastric milieu are frequently experienced during a lifetime either physiologically or as a result of gastrointestinal pathologies. Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to hypoacidity and enhance the sensitization risk for food allergens in adults. Gastric transit of food proteins and alterations in the gastric secretion can be disturbed after bariatric surgery such as the laparoscopic adjustable gastric binding (LAGB) procedure used commonly as therapy for morbid obesity. We report a case of WDEIA in a 42-year-old man with H. pylori positive gastritis, 2 years after bariatric surgery and no history of allergy previously. Our presented case strongly suggests that H. pylori-associated gastritis and gastric anatomy and functional changes after adjustable gastric banding lead to the alterations in gastric milieu and may contribute to a development of food allergy in previously non-sensitized patients.

Prolonged culturing of colonic epithelial organoids derived from healthy individuals and ulcerative colitis patients results in the decrease of LINE-1 methylation level.

Patient-derived human intestinal organoids are becoming an indispensable tool for the research of digestive system in health and disease. However, very little is still known about the long-term culturing effect on global genomic methylation level in colonic epithelial organoids derived from healthy individuals as well as active and quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epigenetic stability of these organoids by assessing the methylation level of LINE-1 during prolonged culturing. We found that LINE-1 region of both healthy control and UC patient colon tissues as well as corresponding epithelial organoids is highly methylated (exceeding 60%). We also showed that long-term culturing of colonic epithelial organoids generated from stem cells of healthy and diseased (both active and quiescent UC) individuals results in decrease of LINE-1 (up to 8%) methylation level, when compared to tissue of origin and short-term cultures. Moreover, we revealed that LINE-1 methylation level in sub-cultured organoids decreases at different pace depending on the patient diagnosis (healthy control, active or quiescent UC). Therefore, we propose LINE-1 as a potential and convenient biomarker for reliable assessment of global methylation status of patient-derived intestinal epithelial organoids in routine testing of ex vivo cultures.

Helicobacter pylori infection in laryngeal diseases.

Clinical studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori can be found not only in the mucosa of the stomach, but in the pharyngeal and laryngeal regions as well. The aim of this prospective case-control study was to identify H. pylori infection in the biopsy material from the larynx of the patients suffering from benign laryngeal diseases (vocal fold polyps, laryngitis) and laryngeal cancer and to investigate the possible relationships between the laryngeal H. pylori and patients' socio-demographic data and laryngopharyngeal reflux. The results of the biopsy material from 67 adult patients treated for benign laryngeal diseases and laryngeal cancer and 11 individuals of the control group revealed that H. pylori infection could be identified in more than one-third of the patients. In the majority of cases H. pylori was found in the patients with chronic laryngitis (45.5%) and laryngeal cancer (46.2%). The findings of these sub-groups significantly differed from those of the control group (9.1%) (p < 0.05). No significant relationships between H. pylori infection found in the laryngeal region and patients' demographic data, their unhealthy habits and reflux-related symptoms or signs were obtained. It could be concluded that H. pylori can colonize in the larynx of patients with benign laryngeal diseases and laryngeal cancer. To clarify the role of H. pylori as a risk factor for laryngeal diseases further research is needed.

Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Kaunas region, Lithuania.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Kaunas and its region during a 3-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted during the 3-year period (2007-2009) and enrolled the patients from Kaunas with its region, which has a population of 381,300 inhabitants. The data were collected from all practices in the area where the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease was made by practicing gastroenterologists and consulting pediatricians along with endoscopists. Only new cases of inflammatory bowel disease were included into analysis. The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease was strictly made according to the Copenhagen criteria. Age- and sex-standardized incidence was calculated for each year of the study period. RESULTS: A total of 108 new inflammatory bowel disease cases were diagnosed during the study period: 87 had ulcerative colitis, 16 Crohn's disease, and 5 indeterminate colitis. The incidence of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and indeterminate colitis for each study year was 6.85, 5.33, and 7.38 per 100,000; 0.95, 1.11, and 1.57 per 100,000; and 0.47, 0.21, and 0.42 per 100,000, respectively. The average 3-year standardized incidence of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and indeterminate colitis was 6.52, 1.21, and 0.37 per 100,000, respectively. The mean patients' age at onset of ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, and Crohn's disease was 49.95 (SD, 17.03), 49.80 (SD, 17.71), and 34.94 years (SD, 0.37), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The average 3-year incidence of ulcerative colitis in Kaunas region was found to be lower as compared with that in many parts of Central and Western Europe. The incidence of Crohn's disease was low and very similar to other countries of Eastern Europe. Age at onset of the diseases appeared to be older than that reported in the Western industrialized countries.

[Usefulness of assessment of voice capabilities in female patients with reflux-related dysphonia].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze vocal capabilities in patients diagnosed with reflux related dysphonia versus controls with healthy voice with selection of the most informative discriminating quantitative parameters and to assess voice changes following treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six parameters of voice range profile (VRP) and five parameters of speech range profile were taken and analyzed from 60 dysphonic outpatient females with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) diagnosed by reflux-related atypical and typical symptoms, videolaryngoscopic findings, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and positive response to empiric 3-month omeprazole treatment. Seventy-six females with healthy voice served as controls. RESULTS: All six parameters of voice range profile and three of 5 parameters of speech range profile showed significant differences comparing LPR patients with controls before omeprazole treatment (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed VRP maximum-minimum intensity range to be the most informative parameter for discrimination between reflux-related dysphonic and healthy voices (overall prediction accuracy, 86.8%). A threshold value of significant parameter was stated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Treatment with omeprazole significantly improved voice quality showing the greatest changes in the mean scores of majority of voice range profile parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Vocal capabilities, especially evaluated by voice range profile, are restricted in LPR female patients in comparison to subjects with healthy voice. Quantitative voice assessment with voice range profile may add more objective aspect for screening dysphonia and could be used as a criterion of evaluation of treatment efficacy in such patients.

Quality of life in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare quality of life (QL) parameters in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) versus healthy controls, to determine the impact of clinical signs to QL, and to assess changes in QL parameters after treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, open, clinical study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred outpatients with LPR and 109 healthy voice controls were enrolled. LPR patients underwent endoscopy and received omeprazole for 3 months. Results of endoscopy revealed 79 patients without esophagitis and 21 with, giving two subgroups of LPR patients. QL was evaluated using voice handicap index (VHI), hospital anxiety and depression scale, disability in social activities, and well-being in general (W-BVAS). RESULTS: The mean scores for total VHI and functional, physical, and emotional functioning domain subscales were found to be significantly higher in LPR patients versus controls (P < .0001), with no difference among LPR subgroups. Abnormal anxiety was one third in both LPR subgroups versus 6.4% of controls (P < .001). Both LPR subgroups patients had significantly reduced social activities and significantly lower mean W-BVAS score than controls. LPR symptoms had a significant relation with all tested QL parameters, whereas laryngoscopic findings had a significant relation with VHI and W-BVAS only. All mean QL parameters scores improved after 3-month omeprazole treatment. CONCLUSIONS: QL in LPR patients with or without esophagitis is impaired significantly in many aspects. Impairment of QL is more associated with symptoms than laryngoscopic findings. Treatment with omeprazole significantly improved QL in both LPR subgroups patients.

The effectiveness of caloric value of enteral nutrition in patients with major burns.

UNLABELLED: Enteral nutrition as an important component of modern treatment is mandatory for patients suffering from major burns. Regardless of the initial estimation of caloric requirements, actual daily volume of energy consumption may vary depending on the general condition of the patient and the side effects of enteral nutrition. The aim of our study was to investigate the relation between caloric value of enteral nutrition and treatment course. METHODS: The prospective study involved 103 adult patients treated in the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine for 2 degrees -3 degrees burns of 10-80% body surface area from 1 January 2001 till 31 December 2003. All patients received enteral nutrition during the acute phase. After the completion of the treatment, caloric value of enteral nutrition was estimated, and patients were divided into two groups: group A received more than 30 kcal/(kg 24 h); and group B, received less than 30 kcal/(kg 24 h). We compared patients' mortality, complication rate, and hospital stay time. RESULTS: The mortality of patients, who enterally received less than 30 kcal/(kg 24 h), was 32.6%, comparing to 5.3% mortality in patients who received 30 or more kcal/(kg 24 h) (p < 0.01). The caloric value of less than 30 kcal/(kg 24 h) increased the frequency of pneumonia by 2.0 times, and the frequency of sepsis by 1.8 times (p < 0.05). The duration of the treatment of survivors in this group was by 12.6 days longer (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The caloric value of enteral nutrition seems to be associated with patient mortality, complication rate, and treatment duration. The results of the treatment of patients who received more or 30 kcal/(kg 24 h) were much better. Because determined relationship may not be directly causal, further study is needed to determine whether active intervention to improve nutrition could improve outcomes.

Lactase nonpersistence is directed by DNA-variation-dependent epigenetic aging.

The inability to digest lactose, due to lactase nonpersistence, is a common trait in adult mammals, except in certain human populations that exhibit lactase persistence. It is not known how the lactase gene is dramatically downregulated with age in most individuals but remains active in some individuals. We performed a comprehensive epigenetic study of human and mouse small intestines, by using chromosome-wide DNA-modification profiling and targeted bisulfite sequencing. Epigenetically controlled regulatory elements accounted for the differences in lactase mRNA levels among individuals, intestinal cell types and species. We confirmed the importance of these regulatory elements in modulating lactase mRNA levels by using CRISPR-Cas9-induced deletions. Genetic factors contribute to epigenetic changes occurring with age at the regulatory elements, because lactase-persistence and lactase-nonpersistence DNA haplotypes demonstrated markedly different epigenetic aging. Thus, genetic factors enable a gradual accumulation of epigenetic changes with age, thereby influencing phenotypic outcome.

[Abnormal gastrointestinal findings in patients with coronary disease revealed by endoscopy before cardiac surgery]. / Ligoniu, serganciu isemine sirdies liga, virskinamojo trakto patologija, endoskopinio tyrimo duomenimis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess incidence of different abnormal gastrointestinal changes revealed by endoscopy before cardiac surgery in different female and male age groups and to establish criteria for carrying out preventive endoscopy in patients with coronary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 3847 patients (63.2% and 36.8% of male and female patients, respectively; mean age 61.9+/-11.9) who underwent fiberoptic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (FEGDS) before cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation at Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in 2000-2003. Study population was divided into two groups: group I consisted of 2348 (61%) patients whose endoscopy revealed active bleeding from mucous membranes of gastrointestinal tract (bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcer) or any other abnormal findings indicating bleeding potential (gastric and duodenal erosion or ulcer); group II comprised 1499 (39%) patients whose endoscopy revealed no abnormal changes or the revealed ones (scars, hiatal hernia, etc.) that cannot cause bleeding. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were established in male and female percentage both generally and individually in groups (63.2% and 36.8% in all population studied; 61% and 39%, 64.6% and 35.4% in group I and group II, respectively). Further data analysis showed that FEGDS revealed changes requiring pre-surgical treatment in even 62.4% of male patients; meanwhile the similar changes were diagnosed in 58.7% of female patients. Incidence analysis of abnormal changes in terms of patient age established that even 31.1% of the group I population were patients aged 61-70, and 26.5%--patients aged 51-60. It should also be noted that these age groups were represented in the most ample manner in all population studied--31.7% (1209 patients) and 26.5% (1012 patients), respectively. The highest incidence of bleeding potential changes in male patients was found in the 51-60 year-old group (30.7% (462 patients)) and 61-70 year-old group (29% (436 patients)); in female patients, the highest incidence was observed in the 61-70 year-old group (35.2% (290 patients)) and 71-80 year-old group (25.6% (211 patients) (p<0.05). Data analysis showed that just 20.1% and 10.9% of male and female patients respectively were diagnosed with the changes mentioned in the age groups of up to 50 year-old. The study established that only 14.5% of FEGDS carried out revealed no abnormal changes in the upper gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSION: Abnormal gastrointestinal changes indicating bleeding potential were established with significantly higher incidence in male compared with female patients. Gastrointestinal endoscopy before cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation should be carried out in 50-70 year-old male patients and 60-80 year-old female patients, while carrying out of the same examination in the younger and older patients is subject to additional indications. Only 14.5% of fiberoptic esophagogastroduodenoscopies carried out revealed no abnormal changes in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Influence of enteral nutrition on the frequency of complications in case of major burns.

UNLABELLED: The objective of the study was to assess if enteral nutrition reduces the rate of severe complications and complication-related mortality in case of major burns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups were included in the study. Group A was assessed prospectively and included 67 patients treated in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in 2000-2003. These patients received 30-40 kcal/kg/day in enteral way over the period of wound surgery. Group A was compared with Group B, which was assessed retrospectively and included 71 patients without enteral nutrition treated in 1997-1998. Groups were homogeneous by patients' age; extent of general and deep burn area; Baux and Burn indexes. RESULTS: 10 patients (15%) in Group A had pneumonia, 3 (30%) of them died; 11 (16%) had lung edema, 3 (27%) of them died; 24 (36%) had sepsis, 3 (12.5%) of them died; renal insufficiency was diagnosed to 4 patients (6%) in Group A, 2 (50%) of them died. In Group B (without enteral nutrition) pneumonia was diagnosed to 27 patients (38%) of 71, 18 (63%) of them died; lung edema--to 20 (28%), 18 (90%) of them died, 19 patients (27%) had sepsis, 12 (63%) of them died; renal insufficiency was diagnosed to 10 patients (14%), all of them (100%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral nutrition statistically significantly diminished frequency of pneumonia and lung edema for burned patients. Pneumonia, lung edema, sepsis and renal insufficiency were less hazardous for life of patients with enteral nutrition (p<0.05).

Nutrition of burned patients.

Burns form 5-12% of all traumas. About 2,200 of patients are annually hospitalized in Lithuania. In most cases people of the employable age get burned. The treatment is often long-lasting, and afterwards recovered patients often have invalidity from burn sequels. The mortality of hospitalized burned patients is about 10%. The most common causes of death are pulmonary edema, pneumonia, sepsis and multiorgan failure. All these complications are related with insufficient nutrition. These complications are extremely frequent and dangerous for patients with more than 20% of body burned. The nutritional support of burned patient gives a possibility to increase the survival probability, to decrease complication rate and hospitalization time. Currently in Lithuania there are no standards for burned patient nutrition. More attention is given to strategy of surgical strategy and techniques, as well as antibiotic therapy. This article is the review of the different aspects of artificial nutrition of burned patient: indications, modes of nutrition, mixtures and terms of nutritional support.

Microvillous inclusion disease.

Congenital defects in the intestinal mucosa can provoke diarrhea in the neonatal period. This kind of diarrhea is difficult to treat and the outcome is bad if intestinal transplantation is not done. We describe the case of newborn female with severe protracted secretory diarrhea, which started after first oral intake of breast milk. The newborn presented with severe dehydration and persistent metabolic acidosis though potential treatment was not stopped. Endoscopy with the biopsies from the distal part of duodenum mucosa was done on the third week of life. Histological examination revealed the pathological mucosa with the total microvillous atrophy, surface epithelium thinning and histochemical PAS (Periodic acid-Schiff reaction) positivity of enterocytes apical region. These changes are typical for rare microvillous inclusion disease. When the diagnosis of microvillous inclusion disease is made, the only treatment is total parenteral nutrition and intestinal transplantation.

Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in functional dyspepsia in different doses and compared with placebo. DESIGN: The study was a controlled, prospective, randomized, and double blind trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with functional dyspepsia, divided into three groups with 44 individuals in each group (placebo, 16mg, or 40mg astaxanthin, respectively). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were asked to accept gastroscopy before treatment, together with questionnaires: GSRS and SF-36. Urea breath test (UBT) was done before the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME: The primary objective was to test the hypothesis that the antioxidant astaxanthin at two doses regimens compared to placebo should ameliorate gastrointestinal discomfort measured as GSRS in patients with functional dyspepsia, who were either positive or negative for Helicobacter pylori, after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: At the end of therapy (week 4) no difference between the three treatment groups was observed regarding mean Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores of abdominal pain, indigestion and reflux syndromes. The same results were observed at the end of follow-up. However reduction of reflux syndrome before treatment to week 4 was significantly pronounced in the higher (40mg) dose compared to the other treatment groups (16mg and placebo, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: In general, no curative effect of astaxanthin was found in functional dyspepsia patients. Significantly greater reduction of reflux symptoms were detected in patients treated with the highest dose of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin. The response was more pronounced in H. pylori-infected patients.

Witzel catheter feeding jejunostomy: is it safe?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients often suffer from malnutrition after digestive tract surgery. It leads to a longer recovery and a higher rate of postoperative complications. Early postoperative jejunostomy feeding is a way of tackling this problem. Opinions emerge that feeding via jejunostomy catheter is not the ideal method because of its complications. Our aim was to assess a complication rate of longitudinal Witzel catheter feeding jejunostomy and complications related to the onset of enteral feeding. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of case histories of 136 patients operated on for upper digestive tract diseases at our clinic between 1992 and 2004 with catheter feeding jejunostomy as an adjunct. We interviewed our patients by telephone about the jejunostomy-related complications during the 1st postoperative year. RESULTS: We observed two feeding jejunostomy-related complications (1.5%). Complications related to the onset of enteral feeding were observed in 12 cases (26.7%). There was no mortality. No complication of catheter jejunostomy was observed during the 1st postoperative year. CONCLUSIONS: A longitudinal Witzel catheter jejunostomy feeding is beneficial after surgery of the upper digestive tract. It is a rather safe procedure, which can be safely started on the day of operation.

Diagnostic test with omeprazole in patients with posterior laryngitis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the merit of empiric omeprazole therapy in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), to determine the optimal dose and duration of diagnostic test, to compare the diagnostic value of upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and omeprazole test (OT). One hundred out-patients with posterior laryngitis and more than one atypical symptom of LPR, aged 14-68 years were treated with omeprazole for 4 weeks (clinical group). According to received omeprazole dose (20 mg, 40 mg, > 40 mg), three clinical subgroups were selected. Twenty patients treated only with life style modifications and diet composed dietary group. At the entry to the study, a symptom questionnaire (5 laryngeal and 3 esophageal scored from 0 to 3 points), well being in general (W-B(VAS) on 100-mm VAS scale), videolaryngoscopy, upper endoscopy, and voice assessment (4 voice range profile parameters and overall vocal dysfunction degree (VDD)) were completed. Total symptom index (TSI) was calculated multiplying sum of symptoms severity score by number of presented symptoms. Normal values of efficacy parameters were obtained from 113 healthy voice subjects (control group). Patients were evaluated twice during the treatment: after 1-2 weeks and after 4-5 weeks. Patients were confirmed as responders, if TSI improved at least 50%, and patients were satisfied with results. According to our data, the 1st control assessment showed significant improvement on symptoms, laryngoscopy scores, VDD, and W-B(VAS) only for clinical group patients (p<0.05). Responders rate also was advantageous for the clinical group patients in comparison to the dietary group (36.0% vs. 15%). The second control assessment showed significantly better results for the clinical group patients in comparison to the 1st (p<0.05 2nd vs. the 1st). Sixty five percent of them (65/100) were classified as responders (p<0.05). The better results were in patients receiving omeprazole more than 20 mg daily. Erosive esophagitis during upper GI endoscopy was found for 21.0% (21/100) clinical group patients, 18 of them were responders to omeprazole 4-week test (accuracy of OT with regard to confirmed diagnosis with upper endoscopy was 85.7%). At week 4, efficacy parameters were not in normal range. We concluded that short-term treatment with omeprazole might be useful in confirming the clinically based diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux.