Association of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory disease of the sinonasal mucosa with significant morbidity. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been suggested as a contributing factor in CRS pathogenesis through direct mucosal irritation and neurogenic inflammation.  This study aims to determine the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and chronic rhinosinusitis. This study was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. The subjects were adult patients presenting with nasal symptoms at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital and Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Hospital, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and nasoendoscopic findings according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) 2020 criteria. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) was assessed using the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS). A total of 44 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this study using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique and provided written informed consent to participate. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 44 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The prevalence of CRS was 61.4% and LPR was 50%. Patients with LPR showed a higher proportion of CRS compared to those without LPR. However, statistical analysis demonstrated no significant association between LPR and CRS (p = 0.353). There is no statistically significant relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and chronic rhinosinusitis. However, LPR may still play a role as a contributing factor in CRS based on descriptive findings.