Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score in the Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Its Improvement with Treatment

Aim: The aim of our study was to diagnose laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) by scoring systems developed by Belafsky and to see the effect of antireflux treatment in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux.Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted at a Tertiary Care Hospital on 100 patients.Detailed history and complete examination of patient with GERD followed by flexible fiber optic endoscopy to diagnose LPR by reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) scoring and then improvement at 4 and 8 weeks with treatment was done.Results: In our study, 10 cases showed improvement from 0 to 4 weeks and 23 cases from 4 to 8 weeks after treatment in RSI score.In total 33 cases showed improvement after 8 weeks.In RFS, 20 cases showed improvement from 0 to 4 weeks and 22 cases showed improvement from 4 to 8 weeks after treatment.In total 42 cases showed improvement after 8 weeks.Conclusion: From our study, we concluded that LPR was assessed by using RSI and RFS scoring systems.Patients with LPR showed improvement after treatment over weeks.Clinical significance: Through this study, we can easily make the diagnosis of LPR by scoring systems and see the effectiveness of PPI in the treatment of LPR.