Effect of comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease on laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: Clinical characteristics and risk factors.

Research thoroughly examining how gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects clinical presentations in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) and exploring the associated triggers is limited. To investigate the effect of comorbid GERD on the clinical characteristics of patients with LPRD and determine risk contributors. In total, 150 patients with LPRD admitted between October 2022 and October 2024 were divided into the GERD (n = 74) or non-GERD (n = 76) group based on their comorbid GERD status. The clinical data collected included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), marital status, smoking, alcohol consumption, and eating habits in the 3-hour window before sleep. The following reflux-related symptoms were recorded: (1) Hoarseness/voice disorders; (2) Persistent throat clearing; (3) Excessive phlegm/postnasal drip; (4) Difficulty swallowing food or water; (5) Postprandial or supine coughing; (6) Breathing difficulties; (7) Bothersome cough; (8) Throat foreign body sensation; (9) Heartburn, chest pain; and (10) Stomach pain. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) tools were used. Binary logistic regression identified contributors to GERD in LPRD. Compared with the non-GERD group, the GERD group, with a notably higher BMI, included greater proportions of older patients, female patients, smokers, and alcohol users and a higher prevalence of bothersome cough, heartburn, chest pain, and stomach pain; however, excessive phlegm or postnasal drip was less common. Additionally, patients with LPRD and comorbid GERD had notably higher RSI and RFS scores. Age (P = 0.017), sex (P = 0.029), smoking (P = 0.012), and alcohol consumption (P = 0.036) were significant triggers for GERD comorbidity in LPRD. Comorbid GERD exacerbates clinical manifestations of patients with LPRD. Advanced age, female sex, smoking, and alcohol consumption predispose patients with LPRD to GERD development.