Pilot Study of the Oral Omeprazole Test for Reflux Laryngitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease occasionally presents with laryngeal symptoms. Such patients are often referred for a gastroenterology evaluation. This study was designed to determine whether an empiric trial of high-dose omeprazole therapy could reliably identify patients with reflux laryngitis and thus obviate the need for a gastroenterology workup.

METHODS: Patients were evaluated with a history, physical examination, esophageal manometry, upper endoscopy, and 24-hour pH-metry for determination of the presence or absence of underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease and then received an empiric trial of oral omeprazole therapy (20 mg twice daily for 1 month). A positive omeprazole test result was defined as resolution of all laryngeal symptoms on completion of the empiric trial of therapy.

RESULTS: Two patients were classified as having no reflux, and eight were classified as having reflux. Omeprazole test results were positive in six patients. Five of six had reflux, but one patient had no evidence for reflux. Omeprazole test results were negative in four patients. Three of four had reflux, and one did not. Despite the absence of antisecretory therapy, laryngeal symptoms did not recur in either patient without reflux during follow-up. Laryngeal symptoms were managed in two of the three patients with reflux who had negative omeprazole test results and who were using inhalers in combination with histamine H₂ receptor antagonist therapy for their reflux disease. One patient with reflux who had a negative omeprazole test result responded to higher doses of omeprazole, and the five patients with reflux who had positive omeprazole test results all responded to continuation of omeprazole.

CONCLUSIONS: The omeprazole test may be useful in confirming the suspicion of reflux laryngitis in patients suspected of having this disease after an otolaryngology evaluation. However, there is a potential for false-positive and false-negative test results. A gastroenterology evaluation may aid in the identification of false-positive test results by documenting the absence of reflux in certain responders.