Virtue of adding prokinetics to proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the virtue of adding prokinetics to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) with regard to symptom and sign improvement and reduction in recurrence rates after cessation of treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY

One hundred patients were divided by blind random card selection into two groups, 50 per group. The first group received itopride, a prokinetic agent, with a PPI, and the second group received a PPI and a placebo, both for a period of 8 weeks. They were followed up on a monthly basis for 16 weeks, with documentation of the symptom and sign scores with each visit and with photographic documentation.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients completed the study. The results showed significant improvement in group A when compared to group B with regard to improvement rates and degrees of subjective and objective improvement, with significantly less recurrence of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Adding prokinetics to PPIs in the treatment of LPR improves the outcome, shortens the need for oral medication, and reduces the rates of recurrence of symptoms.