BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study is aimed at assessing the relationship between ear, nose and throat manifestations and proximal reflux in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by using 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were included: (;) 28 patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastrooesophageal reflux disease: (ii) 18 patients with typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without extraoesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; (iii) 12 healthy volunteers. Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring was performed in all patients. Oesophagogastroscopy was performed in all patients of groups I and II. Ear, nose and throat examination was performed in all patients with ear, nose and throat complaints. RESULTS: At the upper oesophageal sphincter, results of pH monitoring were significantly different between groups I and III (0.009 < P < 0.02) and between groups I and II (0.008 < P < 0.03). When comparing data at the lower oesophageal sphincter, we found a significant difference between groups II and III (0.002 < P < 0.009) and between groups I and III (0.001 < P < 0.002). Endoscopic examination of the oesophagus did not show any significant difference between groups I and II. Laryngoscopy was abnormal in 86% of the patients with ear, nose and throat symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring is useful in the assessment of patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, especially in the case of abnormal laryngoscopy.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study is aimed at assessing the relationship between ear, nose and throat manifestations and proximal reflux in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by using 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were included: (;) 28 patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastrooesophageal reflux disease: (ii) 18 patients with typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without extraoesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; (iii) 12 healthy volunteers. Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring was performed in all patients. Oesophagogastroscopy was performed in all patients of groups I and II. Ear, nose and throat examination was performed in all patients with ear, nose and throat complaints. RESULTS: At the upper oesophageal sphincter, results of pH monitoring were significantly different between groups I and III (0.009 < P < 0.02) and between groups I and II (0.008 < P < 0.03). When comparing data at the lower oesophageal sphincter, we found a significant difference between groups II and III (0.002 < P < 0.009) and between groups I and III (0.001 < P < 0.002). Endoscopic examination of the oesophagus did not show any significant difference between groups I and II. Laryngoscopy was abnormal in 86% of the patients with ear, nose and throat symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring is useful in the assessment of patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, especially in the case of abnormal laryngoscopy.