Changes in the Quality of Life of Patients With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux After Treatment

SummaryObjective/HypothesisTo assess changes in the symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of patients diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) after proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment.Study DesignProspective study.MethodsOne hundred eighty patients diagnosed with LPR were evaluated. All patients were prescribed Lansoprazole (15 mg) twice daily for 12 weeks. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey version 2.0 (SF-36), and LPR–health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were collected from each patient at the initial visit and at 4- and 12-week follow-up visits.ResultsSignificant improvement was observed in RSI and RFS scores after treatment. The LPR-HRQOL score also showed gradual improvement after PPI treatment in the voice, cough, throat clearing, swallowing, and overall impact of acid reflux. Although each domain of the SF-36 had a low score at the baseline visit, seven domains of the SF-36 had improved, except for the physical functioning domain.ConclusionsWe found that RSI, RFS, and most categories in the LPR-HRQOL and SF-36 improved 12 weeks after initiating PPI treatments. These findings indicate that PPI treatment for 3 months could improve the QOL of patients diagnosed with LPR.