OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic values of 24-hour pH monitoring in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).

METHODSFifty patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux were enrolled into this study. Twenty five patients had 24-hour pH monitoring, antacid treatment with omeprazole was given in study group with pathologic reflux. The remaining 25 patients as control group only had the same antacid treatment. All the patients had 3 months follow up, and treatment effect was evaluated according to clinical manifestation improvement. After 3 month treatment followed up, it was defined as inefficacy treatment if the clinical manifestation score decrease was equal or less than 4, defined as efficacy if the score decrease was more than 4.

RESULTSSeventeen of 25 patients had pathologic reflux, positive rate was 68.0%. The mean times of total acid reflux was 35.71 +/- 41.70 (x +/- s), the mean total reflux time was (35.71 +/- 33.19) min, the mean total reflux index (reflux times per hour) was (1.53 +/- 1.73)/h, the mean reflux time was (1.12 +/- 0.91) min. Before antacid treatment, the mean clinical manifestation score was 14. 88 +/- 4.11 in study group and 13.00 +/- 4.17 in control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (t = 1.444, P > 0.05). The validity of study group was 82.4% (14/17), Among the control group, two cases were out of followed, and the validity of remained patients was 52. 2% (12/23). The mean decreased score of clinical manifestation in study group was 7.47 +/- 3.18 and 3.96 +/- 4.25 in control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (t = 2. 864, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONSThe dual-probe 24-hour pH monitoring is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of LPRD and it is essential in patients who have laryngopharyngeal complaints and is capable to improve the effect of antacid treatment significantly. It's worthy of clinical application.