Applying Lyon consensus criteria in the work‐up of patients with extra‐oesophageal symptoms – A multicentre retrospective study

Summary Background The diagnosis of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on otolaryngologist's assessment of laryngoscopic findings remains contentious in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Aims To evaluate GERD prevalence, applying Lyon 2.0 Consensus criteria, in patients with extra‐oesophageal symptoms undergoing laryngoscopic examination and impedance‐pH monitoring. Methods In this retrospective assessment, we included 470 patients with extra‐oesophageal symptoms, either isolated or combined with typical symptoms, who had been referred to six tertiary Italian Gastroenterology Units between January and December 2020. Of these, 274 underwent 24‐h impedance‐pH monitoring and laryngoscopy off PPI therapy. GERD diagnosis followed Lyon Consensus 2.0 criteria, incorporating mean nocturnal baseline impedance when pH‐impedance monitoring was inconclusive. Results Laryngoscopic examination revealed pathological findings (predominantly posterior laryngitis) in 71.2% (195/274). GERD was diagnosed in 29.2% (80/274) via impedance‐pH monitoring. The prevalence of GERD in patients with positive or negative laryngoscopy was similar (32.3% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.075). No significant difference in proximal reflux occurrences was noted between positive and negative laryngoscopy groups (33.3% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.133). Laryngoscopy demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 78.8% and 32.0%, respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 32.3% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 28.4%. In contrast, a threshold of four concurrent laryngoscopic signs, identified in only eight patients, demonstrated a PPV of 93.8% and a NPV of 73.6% (sensitivity 25.4%, specificity 99.2%). Conclusion This study underscores the limited diagnostic accuracy of laryngoscopy, emphasising the necessity of impedance‐pH monitoring for confirming GERD diagnoses using Lyon 2.0 criteria in patients with suspected extra‐oesophageal symptoms.