Laryngopharyngeal reflux has become increasingly prevalent and received more and more attention. The "gold standard" for identifying and measuring laryngopharyngeal reflux disease is 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring. In this paper, we review the clinical application of this monitoring technology.
Electric Impedance ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; diagnosis

Objective To evaluate the consistency between 24-hour pH monitoring,reflux symptom index(RSI) and reflux finding score(RFS) when using pH ＜4 or pH ＜5 as threshold for 24-hour pH monitoring in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux.Methods Patients who presented with suspicious laryngopharyngeal reflux between February 2014 and December 2015 were included in this study.pH ＜4 and pH ＜ 5 reflux episodes,PSI and RFS were collected.The consistency between 24-hour pH monitoring and scale results were analyzed when pH ＜ 4 or pH ＜ 5 as threshold respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of 24-hour pH monitoring were calculated separately.Results Median number (M [P25,P75,P95]) of reflux events were 0 [0,3.0,5.5] when using pH ＜4 as pathological threshold and 0 [0,4.0,and 8.5] using pH ＜ 5 as pathological threshold.Laryngopharyngeal reflux was determined in 34.5％ patients depending on 24-hour pH monitoring when pH ＜ 4 was used as threshold,chi-square revealed medium consistency (K =0.483) between pH monitoring and scale result.If pH ＜ 5 was used as threshold,41.8％ patients were detected with laryngopharyngeal reflux,and the consistency of pH monitoring and scale result was medium (κ =0.540).With PSI and RFS for reference,the sensitivity and specificity of 24-hour pH monitoring were 54.7％ and 93.4％ respectively when pH ＜4 was used as threshold.If pH ＜5 was used as threshold,the sensitivity and specificity of 24-hour pH monitoring were 65.6％ and 91.3％ respectively.Conclusions Compared with pH ＜4 as pathological threshold,the consistency of pH monitoring and scale results was a little better using pH ＜ 5 as pathological threshohl.

Diabetic foot(DF)is a common chronic complication in patients with diabetes.Fibrosis and degeneration occurred in fasciae in long term hyperglycemia and inflammatory environment.Fibrosis in fasciae may aggravate the development of diabetic foot due to the special cellular and molecular structure,physiological and biomechanical effects.Thus,we aimed at reviewing the research progress of fascial fibrosis in diabetic foot.

Objective To explore the diagnostic characteristics of 24 hours multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).Methods Patients who were suspected to have laryngopharyngeal reflux (LRP) between February and December 2014 were included.The frequency of pH ＜ 4 waveform,artifacts,numbers of acid reflux events,weakly acidic reflux events,weakly alkaline reflux events,time of acid exposure,time of acid clearance,acid reflux events in upright position and supine position,reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux findings score (RFS) were analyzed.Results Forty-five times pH ＜ 4 reflux waveform were identified according to software analysis.140 pH drops of 4 were observed according to manual analysis,in which 78 times were caused by reflux and 62 artifacts.The consistency of manual analysis and software automatically analysis was general (κ =0.234).The positive rate of 60 patients was 28.3％ (17/60).In the 17 LPR patients,the median number[P25,P75] of acid reflux events was 5.0[4.0,8.8],weakly acidic reflux events was 6.5 [5.3,10.3],weakly alkaline reflux events was 1.0 [0.0,2.0],time of acid exposure was 3.8 [2.3,7.2] min,time of acid clearance was 36.0 [21.5,57.6] s,acid reflux events in upright position was 4.0[3.0,4.8] and in supine position was 1.5 [0.0,2.3].All the data were approximately identical with the domestic and foreign literature.24 hours MII-pH monitoring and RSI + RFS had medium consistency (κ =0.590).Conclusions 24 hours MII-pH monitoring has ideal repeatability,but false positive and false negative can not be avoided completely.The diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux shoull be combined with medical history and laryngoscopy.

Objective: The consistency and characteristics of 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance(MII)-pH monitoring and Dx-pH monitoring in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux were investigated. Methods: Fifty-two patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux related symptoms or disease between March and October 2017 were included in this study.All patients were evaluated with 24-hour MII-pH monitoring and Dx-pH monitoring at the same time, recording each patient′s number of positive laryngopharyngeal reflux events, time of acid clearance and Ryan index.The data was analysed with Mann-Whitney U test and consistency check. Results: Among all 52 patients, 16 patients(30.7%) had a positive MII-pH monitoring result and 14 patients(26.9%) had a positive Dx-pH monitoring results.The consistency of both technique for measurement of laryngopharyngeal reflux was general(κ=0.626). With MII-pH monitoring for reference, the sensitivity and specificity of 24-hour pH monitoring were 68.8% and 91.7%.A total of 62 positive reflux events(pH<4) were measured with MII-pH monitoring, and 50 positive reflux events(upright pH<5.5 or supine pH<5.0)were detected by Dx-pH monitoring.There were 44 positive reflux events detected by both techniques, the mean time of acid clearance was 22.8[13.5; 42.6] s. Correspondingly, 18 reflux events were measured by MII-pH monitoring without positive results of Dx-pH monitoring, the mean time of acid clearance was 5.2[3.5; 6.5] s. There was significant difference in the time of acid clearance between two groups(U=858.5, P<0.05). Conclusions Dx-pH monitoring can accurately measure the change of pH value in airway, but exists the possibility of misdiagnosis especially when the time of acid clearance in laryngopharynx is short. MII-pH and Dx-pH monitoring can be complementary technique in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Objective: To observe the incidence and to determine the significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in laryngeal cancer and vocal leukoplakia. Methods: The patients who had been diagnosed as laryngeal cancer or vocal leukoplakia between January 2014 and June 2017 were included in this study. All of them received 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring. The prevalence of LPR and numerous parameters from the 24-hour pH monitoring in laryngeal cancer patient and vocal leukoplakia patient groups were analyzed. The chi-square test was used for counting data, t test and Mann-Whitney U were used for measuring data. Results: In the 91 laryngeal cancer patients, the prevalence of pathologic LPR was 28.6%(26/91), the median number[P₂₅, P₇₅, P₉₅]of acid reflux events was 0[0, 3, 5], time of acid exposure was 0[0, 14, 234]s, number of weakly acidic reflux events was 3[0, 6, 11]. In the 54 vocal leukoplakia patients, the prevalence of pathologic LPR was 29.6%(16/54), the number of acid reflux events was 0[0, 3, 4], time of acid exposure was 0[0, 13, 118]s, number of weakly acidic reflux events was 1.5[0, 5, 9]. The incidence of LPR did not vary in the laryngeal cancer patient and vocal leukoplakia patient groups, but were both higher than healthy Chinese volunteers according to a report in the other literature. Furthermore, all the three patients with no history of tobacco or alcohol existed acid or weakly acidic reflux episodes. Conclusions Laryngopharyngeal reflux might play a role as an etiologic factor in laryngeal cancer and vocal leukoplakia.

The clinical data of a child with ABCB1 rs1045642 T/T genotype and skin photosensitivity induced by Voriconazole were analyzed retrospectively in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University in September 2020.Literature was reviewed to discuss the relationship between ABCB1 genetic polymorphism and Voriconazole pharmacokinetics.The patient was a 6.8-year-old boy, who was diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency disease.Long-term oral Voriconazole was administered for prevention and treatment of fungal infections.Skin photodistributed erythema and pigmentation occurred about 3-4 weeks after treatment.The skin lesions were significantly alleviated about 1 month after the withdrawal of Voriconazole.Gene test showed ABCB1 rs1045642 T/T in the patient.Some studies reported that ABCB1 rs1045642 T/T genotype reduced the clearance rate of Voriconazole.Monitoring such adverse reaction of Voriconazole in clinical practice is important. ABCB1 gene polymorphism is possible to correlate with the pharmacokinetics and adverse reactions of Voriconazole.However, further large-scale clinical studies are warranted to verify it.

Objective:To observe the efficacy of vocal cord botulinum toxin type A injection in the treatment of refractory laryngeal contact granuloma and to analyze the factors affecting the curative effect.Methods:Fifty-two patients with refractory laryngeal contact granuloma who received vocal cord botulinum toxin type A injection under topical anesthesia from May 2021 to May 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 51 were males and 1 was female, aged 22-66 (48.98±8.87)years old. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. Outcome measures in terms of patient cure rate, total effective rate, complications and recurrence rate were calculated. The median [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was used to represent non-normally distributed measurement data, and Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors affecting efficacy. Results:The cure rate of 52 patients with refractory laryngeal contact granuloma treated by vocal cord botulinum toxin type A injection was 78.8% (41/52), and the total effective rate (including cure, marked and effective) was 90.4% (47/52). The median number of injections was 1[1,2]. Following a single injection, the cure rate was 69.2% (36/52), and the median treatment duration for cured patients was 3 [3,3] months. Hoarseness occurred in 88.5% (46/52) of patients, with recovery within 3 months in all cases. Additionally, 21.2% (11/52) of the patients experienced cough, sore throat, dyspnea, all of whom recovered within 3 months. One patient among the 41 cured cases was lost to follow-up, and the recurrence rate at the 12th month was 17.5% (7/40). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age, granuloma size, history of PPI treatment, previous corticosteroid injections, prior surgical excision, pharyngeal reflux, chronic cough, pharyngeal reflux, chronic cough and vocal overuse were not independent risk factors for cure and recurrence.Conclusion:Vocal cord botulinum toxin type A injection is an alternative for the treatment of refractory laryngeal contact granuloma, which offers benefits such ashigh cure rate, short treatment cycle and less injection times.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of pepsin strip test in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Methods: From August 2017 to September 2018,80 patients in Department of Otorhniolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital-Six Medical Centre, underwent pepsin strip test and 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance(MII)-pH monitoring. The results of the two methods were analyzed for consistency,and 24-hour MII-pH monitoring was used as a statistical reference for the sensitivity and specificity of pepsin strip test in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software. Results: There were 57 patients with positive pepsin test strip and 23 patients with negative pepsin test strip. The score of reflux symptoms and signs, and the positive rate of laryngopharyngeal reflux events in patients with positive pepsin strip test were significantly higher than those in patients with negative pepsin test strip. If there was one or more throat reflux events (including acid reflux,weak acid reflux and alkali reflux) as the positive results of 24-hour MII-pH monitoring,the consistency between the results of pepsin strip and 24-hour MII-pH was moderate (Kappa=0.614). The sensitivity and specificity of pepsin strip were 86.9% (53/61) and 78.9% (15/19) respectively. Conclusions Pepsin strip detection has the advantages of non-invasive,cheap and easy to operate.As an objective method for early diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux, pepsin strip detectionis feasible,but can not be the final diagnosis for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription on Keap1Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of CNP.Methods CNP rat model was prepared using castration combined with estrogen induction method.Totally 48 SD rats were divided into blank group,model group,celecoxib group and Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group according to the random number table method,with 12 rats in each group.In the celecoxib group,celecoxib suspension was instilled 0.035 g/kg,and in the Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group,Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription water decoction was instilled 8.64 g/kg,and the blank group and the model group were instilled with equal volume of normal saline for 28 days.Mechanical pain threshold in rats was measured using Von Frey fiber optic pain gauge,HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in prostate tissue and pathological scoring,the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in prostate tissue were detected by chemical fluorescence method and the glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in prostate tissue were detected by colorimetric method,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Kelch like ECH related protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)protein in prostate tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group had significantly lower mechanical pain threshold and significantly decreased prostate index(P<0.01);the size of the glandular cavity in prostate tissue varied,with the disappearance of secretions in the cavity,interstitial looseness and edema,a large amount of fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant increase in pathological scores(P<0.01);the contents of ROS and MDA in prostate tissue significantly increased,the activity of GSH-Px significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expression of Keap1 and Nrf2 proteins significantly decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mechanical pain threshold of the rats in the Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group was significantly higher(P<0.01);there was mild damage to prostate tissue,with a small amount of fibrous hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant decrease in pathological scores(P<0.01,P<0.05);the contents of ROS and MDA in prostate tissue significantly decreased,and the GSH-Px activity significantly increased(P<0.01),the Keap1 and Nrf2 protein expressions significantly increased and HO-1 protein expression significantly decreased in prostate tissue(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription can effectively improve the histopathological morphology and increase the pain threshold of the prostate gland in CNP rats,and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and reduction of oxidative stress damage in prostate tissue of rats.