Diagnosis and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux: Use of empirical lansoprazole.

: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of empirical medical treatment in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) disease by scoring the findings and symptoms. Hence, 122 patients were examined at the voice laboratory with a laryngovideostroboscopic device, and all results were recorded for further evaluation. Patients were treated with lansoprazole twice a day. All patients were evaluated before and during the treatment period at the first and third months. The reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) records were correlated and statistically tested to confirm a diagnosis of LPR. The results revealed a significant improvement in the findings and symptoms due to this treatment modality and showed that RFS and RSI were correlated with LPR disease, which can help confirm its diagnosis. Findings and symptom scores before and after the treatment were compared. The differences were statistically significant, which strengthens the reliability of the score indices that were used. This study shows that RFS, RSI, and empirical treatment may be a useful, practical method of diagnosing and following up on LPR. We concluded that it is more efficient to score symptoms and findings together, instead of monitoring pH for 24 hours, in patients with potential LPR.