Objective: To study the value of the reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).
Methods: Twenty-five patients with RSI scores > 13 or RFS scores > 7 and sixteen patients with RSI scores > 13 and RFS scores > 7 were suspected as LPRD. Forty one patients with the RSI scores > 13 and/or RFS scores > 7 were suspected as LPRD, 15 patients with the RSI scores <or= 13 and RFS scores <or= 7 were regarded as control group. All the patients had 24-hour dual probe pH monitoring. Twenty-five patients with positive pH monitoring hand received anti-reflux treatment with omeprazole for 3 months, and then the RSI and RFS was estimated again.
Results: The RSI and RFS scoring had high consistent with the results of pH monitoring (Kappa = 0.43, u = 3.48, P < 0.01), especially if RSI scores > 13 and RFS scores > 7 (Kappa = 0.55, u = 3.06, P < 0.01). There was a significant decreasing in RSI and RFS scoring in patients after anti-acid treatment for 3 months (t(RSI) = 8.838, P(RSI) = 0.000; t(RFS) = 5.695, P(RFS) = 0.000).
Conclusions: The RSI and RFS can be used as screening tool for laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases and as a simple method for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.