Although symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms are commonly seen in the ENT clinic, their aetiology and prevalence in the population remain unknown. Lifestyle changes have been seen to be effective in symptom relief. We aimed to establish the prevalence of these symptoms and identify any associated factors. Pseudo-random sampling was performed on 2,000 adults that were sent a validated questionnaire containing the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and questions on their health and lifestyle. 45.8 % of the 378 responders were male. The mean RSI was 8.3. 30 % had an RSI of more than 10, of which 75 % had symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (r = 0.646 at p = 0.01). Patients with depression and irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to have LPR symptoms. LPR symptoms are highly prevalent in the community and may be influenced significantly by the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux, depression and irritable bowel syndrome.
This study shows that 87.0% of children have VTs inserted in accordance with NICE guidelines providing exceptional cases are included, but only 32.2% comply with the core criteria. A significant number have surgery due to the invoking of exceptional criteria, suggesting that clinicians are personalising the treatment to each individual child.
Histopathological changes in septal and nasal mucosa of patients with nasal septum deviation are not well known. Biopsies of septal and lateral nasal mucosae from both sides of nose were obtained from 20 patients undergoing septoplasty and control group of 10 patients undergoing head and neck surgery. Histopathological changes including lymphocytic infiltration and squamous metaplasia were compared. This study determined significantly higher rate of squamous metaplasia and lymphocytic infiltration in septal mucosa opposite the deviation compared to control group. Furthermore, there was a significantly higher rate of lymphocytic infiltration in the lateral nasal wall mucosa opposite the deviation when compared to control group. Increased lymphocytic infiltration and squamous metaplasia are observed on both sides of nasal mucosa; however, they are more severe on the side opposite the deviation. Septal deviation predisposes to chronic mucosal inflammation and squamous metaplasia, both of which may render patients susceptible to chronic rhinosinusitis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.