Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with extraesophageal symptoms referred from otolaryngology, allergy, and cardiology practices: a prospective study.

AIM

To investigate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as the clinical, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics in 57 adult patients with otolaryngeal symptoms, asthma, or noncardiac chest pain referred from specialized services.

METHODS

The following evaluations were performed: (1) upper endoscopy, (2) 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring, and (3) esophageal manometry. The prevalence of GERD was determined, and demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics of patients with or without GERD were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-four out of 57 patients (60%) had GERD. The 95% confidence interval ranged from 48 to 72%. There was no statistical difference between patients with or without GERD regarding gender, age, or time of evolution of symptoms. Cough was more frequent in the subjects with GERD (75 vs. 25%, p<0.05). Nevertheless, cough was observed in only 53% of the patients with GERD. Patients suffering from laryngitis had a greater proximal and distal esophageal acid exposure time than those without.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of GERD was 60%. There is not a definite demographic or clinical profile that permits us to distinguish between patients with and without GERD among those with ear, nose, and throat and pulmonary symptoms or chest pain.