Chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux.

A certain percentage of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have laryn- gopharyngeal symptoms such as hoarseness, cough, and lump sensation in the throat. An updated meta-analysis showed that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduced laryngopharyngeal symptoms significantly compared with placebo in patients suspected to have these symptoms caused by gastroesophageal reflux(GER). Although PPIs are often used to confirm the diagnosis of GERD (so-called "PPI test"), it is still not clear whether the -test can be applied to patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms. We therefore have to conclude that no solid diagnostic tool is available to determine whether GER is an actual cause of chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis.