Association Between Pepsin in the Saliva and the Subjective Symptoms in Patients With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

OBJECTIVES: Our study was designed to further evaluate the relationships between the saliva pepsin level and the symptoms and quality of life of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study without controls.

SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 50 patients diagnosed with LPR by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring. All subjects were instructed to collect saliva samples upon waking in the morning. The saliva pepsin levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Reflux Symptom Index, Reflux Finding Score, Laryngopharyngeal Reflux-Health-Related Quality of Life, and Short Form 36 survey were administered.

RESULTS: The pepsin was detected in the saliva of 41 patients with LPR (17.15 ± 20.42 ng/mL). Nine patients did not have pepsin in the saliva. There were no significant associations between the pepsin level in the saliva and Reflux Symptom Index, Laryngopharyngeal Reflux-Health-Related Quality of Life, or Short Form 36 of patients with LPR.

CONCLUSION: The saliva pepsin level is not significantly correlated with LPR symptoms or quality of life in LPR patients. It may be true that there is no association between pepsin levels and LPR symptoms, but this lack of association does not prove the lack of pathophysiological effect.