Self-reported symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux using the reflux symptom score in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with many chronic diseases among which is laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). Objective: To investigate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)-related symptoms in patients with OSA using the Reflux Symptoms Score (RSS) and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). Methods: The medical records and video-recordings of patients with OSA who presented to a tertiary referral center were reviewed. The diagnosis of OSA was made using the STOP-BANG questionnaire and/or polysomnography. The prevalence of LPR-related symptoms was assessed using both the RSS and RSI questionnaires. Results: Thirty-nine patients were included in this study. Twenty-seven patients (69.2%) had a positive RSS in comparison to only 7 (17.9%) using the RSI (p =.052). Subgroup analysis of those who had polysomnography (n = 24) showed that 18 patients (75%) had a positive RSS in comparison to only 5 patients (20.8%) using the RSI. Patients in the high-risk category for OSA were also found to have a higher prevalence of LPR-related symptoms using both the RSS and RSI questionnaires in comparison to those in the lower risk categories. Conclusion: The results of this investigation indicate that the prevalence of LPR-related symptoms is higher using the RSS in comparison to the RSI. © 2023 Acta Oto-Laryngologica AB (Ltd).