Correlation of obstructive sleep apnoea and laryngopharyngeal reflux: phmetry study

ObjectiveTo study the correlation of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). DesignA descriptive study. SettingSuez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt. Patients62 patients with polysomnography confirmed OSA. InterventionPatients were evaluated with ambulatory 24-h double channel pH monitoring. ResultsMean reflux symptom index in the study group was 9 5.5, and it was > 13 in all patients with severe OSA. Signs of LPR reflux were present in 34 (55%) patients. Abnormal reflux was detected in the distal oesophagus in 41 patients (66%) and in the proximal oesophagus in 21 patients (34%). Patients with severe OSA had significantly higher nocturnal LPR reflux episodes compared to patients with mild disease (P < .05). Number of reflux episodes and total duration of reflux during sleep are significantly correlated to degree of OSA (P < .05). No difference was found in relation to age or sex. Daytime reflux was not related to the degree of obstructive sleep apnoea (P > .05). ConclusionLPR is common in patients with OSA. Patients with severe OSA have significantly higher nocturnal LPR. This should be considered when treating this group of patients.