Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2020 Nov;63(11):517-522. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00899.

Impact on Quality of Life after Treatment with Proton Pump Inhibitor in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

• Choi HW
• Jun HW
• Jung JH
• Kim MK
• Tae K
• Ji YB

• KMID: 2509263
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00899

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Several studies have assessed the impact of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) on the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), showing significant impairment of HR-QoL. This study aims to assess the impact of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment of LPRDs to enhance HR-QoL.
Subjects and Method
We prospectively collected data from LPRD patients from April 2017 to July 2019. Patients who have reflux symptom index (RSI) of ≥13 or reflux finding score (RFS) of ≥7 were enrolled in this study. We assessed HR-QoL using a questionnaire with EORTC QLQ-H&N35, -C30 on the first visit. Patients were treated with PPI (Ilaprazole 20 mg/day) on their visits at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RSI and RFS were measured at each visit and HR-QoL was reevaluated on the last visit.
Results
Ninety-five patients completed the 3-months follow-up and were enrolled in this study. Female : male ratio was 71:24 and the mean age was 57.0±11.9 (27-80). The initial RSI and RFS were 16.3±8.8 and 12.6±2.9, respectively, but were changed to 11.1±9.7 and 9.7±2.6 (p<0.001 in both) at 12 weeks after the treatment. Global health status/QoL, speech problem, dry mouth, and coughing were significantly improved.
Conclusion
PPI administration is effective in treating LPRD, where effects begin to appear at 4 weeks after treatment. HR-QoL was also improved in patients who have RSI improvement.

Keyword

Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Laryngoscopy; Proton pump inhibitor; Quality of life