How Often Is GERD the Cause of Suspected Laryngopharyngeal Reflux?

Acid-suppressive agents were no more beneficial than placebo in patients with suspected reflux laryngitis.

The standard approach to patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is acid-suppressive therapy with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, studies to support this practice are either uncontrolled or small. In this industry-supported, prospective, placebo-controlled multicenter study, researchers in Florida examined the effect of acid suppression in 145 patients who had experienced signs of LPR (hoarseness, repetitive throat clearing, excessive pharyngeal mucus, globus, and voice changes) for 3 consecutive months or longer. Patients with moderate-to-severe heartburn on 3 or more days weekly were excluded.

Researchers randomized patients to receive twice-daily esomeprazole (40 mg; 95 patients) or placebo (50 patients) for 16 weeks. The pri…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD