A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Combination Therapy with Proton Pump Inhibitors and Mucolytics in Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chae, Minsuk; Jang, Dong Hyuk; Kim, Ho Chan; Kwon, Minsu
• Is Part Of: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology. Volume 129:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 781
• Page End: 787
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: ambroxol-theophyllin-7-acetate -- globus sensation -- laryngopharyngeal reflux -- expectorants -- proton pump inhibitors; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0003489420913592
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4894

Abstract

Objectives: To identify whether combination therapy with mucolytics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) leads to faster and more effective symptomatic relief in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Methods: Patients diagnosed as LPR with a reflux symptom index (RSI) ≥ 13 and a reflux finding score (RFS) ≥ 7 were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomly allocated to control (PPI only) or experimental (PPI + mucolytics) groups and changes in RSI and RFS values were assessed at 1- and 3-month follow-up. Results: One hundred sixteen patients were randomly allocated into either the control group ( n = 59) or the experimental group ( n = 57). The RSI and RFS scores significantly decreased in both groups (all P < .001) after 1 month of treatment; however, there was no significant difference in RSI change between groups ( P = .223). After 3 months of treatment, there remained no significant difference in RSI change between groups ( P = .592). Conclusions: Combination therapy with mucolytics and PPI compared to PPI alone did not lead to faster or more effective symptomatic relief in LPR patients.