[Do clinical symptoms and laryngoscopic findings of laryngo-pharyngeal reflux correlate?]. / Korrelieren die klinischen Symptome und lupenlaryngoskopischen Befunde des laryngo-pharyngealen Refluxes miteinander?

BACKGROUND: ENT specialists are often confronted with symptoms which are related to laryngo-pharyngeal reflux. The high prevalence, as well as therapy with PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) has recently raised controversies. Goal of our study was to survey laryngeal tissue irritation signs, as well as reflux associated complaints in a cohort of "healthy" men. Furthermore to describe if and to which grade subjective symptoms correlate with clinical signs. METHODS: We surveyed in a prospective, population based study cohort of 64 men the prevalence of laryngeal irritation signs with laryngoscopy (based on the Reflux Finding Score--RFS) and reflux associated complaints (Reflux Symptoms Index--RSI). RESULTS: A third of all volunteers had pathological values as assessed by the RSI questionnaire. Laryngoscopy revealed only in six men signs suspicious of LPR. Symptoms and laryngoscopic findings did not correlate. CONCLUSION: In most cases no clinical substrate could be identified in symptoms usually contributed to LPR. These are often non specific and a careful examination of other factors should be taken.