Association of laryngopharyngeal reflux with nasal obstruction

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of nasal obstruction on the laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Material and Methods: Between April 2013 and October 2014, 40 patients with a diagnosis of nasal septum deviation and 40 controls with no signs and symptoms of reflux were prospectively included in this study. Results of pH monitoring of two groups of patients were analyzed for LPR. In the evaluation, two different criteria, based on reflux number and time spent in reflux were used. Results: The proximal canal reflux episode ratios were found 3.0±4.18, 2.05±3.81 and 5.05±7.35 for upright, supine and totally in the study group respectively. These ratios were found 0.94±0.29, 0.0±0.0 and 0.94±0.29 for upright, supine and totally in the control group respectively. Upright, supine and total reflux episodes of patients in the study group were found higher than the control group and these differences reached statistically significant in two groups (p<0.05). The distal canal upright, supine and total reflux episodes of patients in the study group were found higher than the control group. This difference was found to be statistically significant in the total reflux episode patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: Nasal obstruction had a negative effect on LPR and that may play a role in the formation of reflux.