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<p>Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) presents a diagnostic challenge due to its non-specific symptomatology and frequent overlap with other upper airway disorders. While the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) are commonly employed in clinical practice, their subjective nature and limited specificity necessitate complementary tools. This study aimed to examine the correlation between RSI and RFS, evaluate the influence of lifestyle factors, and assess quality of life (QoL) using validated indices to improve clinical assessment.A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 50 patients with symptoms suggestive of LPR. Participants completed the RSI, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). All patients underwent fibreoptic laryngoscopy, and laryngeal signs were scored using the RFS. Statistical analyses included correlation coefficients and regression models to assess the relationships between symptom scores, laryngoscopic findings, lifestyle irritants (smoking, alcohol, spicy food), and QoL outcomes.A significant positive correlation was observed between RSI and RFS, particularly for the symptom “lump in the throat” (<i>r</i> = 0.82, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Smoking was a significant predictor of both elevated RSI (<i>p</i> = 0.007) and RFS (<i>p</i> = 0.012). An RSI score &gt; 25 predicted RFS positivity (≥ 7) with an 88% probability. QoL analysis revealed that 68% of patients had VHI-10 scores &gt; 11 and 42% had SF-36 scores &lt; 50. Both RSI and RFS were strongly associated with poorer VHI-10 and inversely correlated with SF-36. Smoking also emerged as an independent predictor of reduced QoL. RSI and RFS remain valuable tools in the clinical assessment of LPR, particularly when supported by QoL measures such as VHI-10 and SF-36. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating patient-reported outcomes into routine evaluation and highlight smoking as a significant modifiable factor affecting both symptom severity and perceived health status.</p>

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Beyond the Larynx: Linking Symptom Severity and Quality of Life in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月19日

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  • Srujan Vallur,
  • Sanjay Kumar,
  • Angshuman Dutta,
  • K. Pooja Rao

摘要

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) presents a diagnostic challenge due to its non-specific symptomatology and frequent overlap with other upper airway disorders. While the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) are commonly employed in clinical practice, their subjective nature and limited specificity necessitate complementary tools. This study aimed to examine the correlation between RSI and RFS, evaluate the influence of lifestyle factors, and assess quality of life (QoL) using validated indices to improve clinical assessment.A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 50 patients with symptoms suggestive of LPR. Participants completed the RSI, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). All patients underwent fibreoptic laryngoscopy, and laryngeal signs were scored using the RFS. Statistical analyses included correlation coefficients and regression models to assess the relationships between symptom scores, laryngoscopic findings, lifestyle irritants (smoking, alcohol, spicy food), and QoL outcomes.A significant positive correlation was observed between RSI and RFS, particularly for the symptom “lump in the throat” (r = 0.82, p < 0.001). Smoking was a significant predictor of both elevated RSI (p = 0.007) and RFS (p = 0.012). An RSI score > 25 predicted RFS positivity (≥ 7) with an 88% probability. QoL analysis revealed that 68% of patients had VHI-10 scores > 11 and 42% had SF-36 scores < 50. Both RSI and RFS were strongly associated with poorer VHI-10 and inversely correlated with SF-36. Smoking also emerged as an independent predictor of reduced QoL. RSI and RFS remain valuable tools in the clinical assessment of LPR, particularly when supported by QoL measures such as VHI-10 and SF-36. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating patient-reported outcomes into routine evaluation and highlight smoking as a significant modifiable factor affecting both symptom severity and perceived health status.