Impact of laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux on asthma control in children

ObjectiveA prospective study was carried out to determine the sensitivity and specificity of reflux symptoms and laryngeal findings to diagnose laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in children with asthma by comparing the results of double probe pH monitorization and to determine the difference between controlled and uncontrolled asthma in terms of GER and LPR coexistence.MethodsA total of 50 patients (23 girls, mean age 10.8 ± 0.4 years) with mild to moderate persistent asthma were included in this study. The patients were divided in two groups according to the asthma control status as controlled (n = 27) vs. uncontrolled asthma (n = 23). All patients completed the reflux symptom questionnaire and then they underwent flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy and 24 h double probe (pharyngeal and esophageal) pH monitorization. Laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux were defined according to the double probe pH meter results.ResultsThe prevalences of LPR and GER were 70% and 46% in asthmatic patients, respectively. The reflux symptom score and LPR disease index were not useful to predict LPR or GER. There was no association between asthma control status and LPR and GER. Vocal nodule seems to be a valuable sign to evaluate LPR in asthmatic children.ConclusionsThe reflux symptom score and LPR disease index do not seem reliable to diagnose LPR and GER in children with asthma. The frequency of LPR and GER are independent of asthma control, atopy and long acting beta agonist usage.