Knowledge of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease among otolaryngologists in 3A hospitals in Beijing

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate knowledge of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) among otolaryngologists in 3A hospitals in Beijing. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of LPRD knowledge was conducted with otolaryngologists in 40 3A hospitals in Beijing. A response rate of <80% was obtained from one hospital, so data from 331 valid questionnaires from the other 39 hospitals were analysed. Results The most common source of LPRD knowledge was academic lectures (80.1%). The most commonly known risk factors, symptoms, clinical signs and associated diseases were unhealthy eating habits (49.2%), foreign body sensation in the pharynx (71.0%), hyperaemia (42.3%) and pharyngolaryngitis (63.7%), respectively. Only 57.7% of otolaryngologists knew about 24-hour pH monitoring as a gold standard diagnostic test for LPRD. The most commonly known treatment option was medication (93.1%). Most physicians (86.7%) had made a clinical diagnosis of LPRD; however, only 59.9% of them had followed up the treatment outcomes. The most common treatment provided was medication (82.6%). Conclusions Knowledge of LPRD among otolaryngologists in 3A hospitals in Beijing was insufficient. Educational programs are needed to increase the knowledge of LPRD among otolaryngologists.