Modern problems of diagnostics and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease

The concept of extraesophageal symptoms secondary to GERD is complex and often controversial, leading to diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Many researchers consider them to be a manifestation of an independent disease - laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). The aim of the work is to provide a review of existing literature regarding the mechanisms, diagnostics and treatment of LPRD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A bibliographic research was conducted in the RSCI, PubMed, ScienceDirect databases. RESULTS: Currently, there is no single diagnostic tool to determine unambiguously the relationship between typical symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Determining the contribution of GERD to their development is based on the results of a comprehensive examination of the patient and his response to anti-reflux therapy. The peculiarities of the pathophysiological mechanisms of LPRD (a high percentage of non-acidic, mixed, as well as liquid and/or gas reflux, low resistance of the pharyngeal and upper respiratory tract mucosa to the damaging effect of refluxate) explain the need for treatment approaches that are different from those used for GERD. Lifestyle modification and anti-reflux diet give more predictable results in the treatment of LPRD than drug therapy. Prospects for increasing the effectiveness of drug treatment of diseases caused by regurgitation of gastric contents (LPRD, GERD) involve their phenotyping, as well as the development of interdisciplinary approach.