Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Has Negative Effects on Taste and Smell Functions

ObjectiveWe evaluated the halimetric, olfactory, and taste functions of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).Study DesignProspective clinical study.SettingMulticenter tertiary care hospital.MethodsPatients who were diagnosed with LPR for the first time on the basis of a Reflux Finding Score (RFS) >11 and a Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) >13 were enrolled in this study. A control group was selected from patients without a complaint of LPR. OralChroma was used for the halimetric measurement; Sniffin’ Sticks were used for the smelling test; Taste Strips were used for the taste test; and monosodium L-glutamate was used for the umami test.ResultsA total of 110 subjects were included, with a mean age of 36.8 ± 10 years (range, 19-57 years). The differences in odor threshold scores were significant between the groups (P < .001), but no change was detected for the odor identification or discrimination scores between the groups. Bitter taste scores were significantly diminished in the reflux group compared wit...