PeerJ (Apr 2022)

Association between laryngopharyngeal reflux and obstructive sleep apnea in adults

  • Susyana Tamin,
  • Dumasari Siregar,
  • Syahrial Marsinta Hutauruk,
  • Ratna Dwi Restuti,
  • Elvie Zulka Kautzia Rachmawati,
  • Saptawati Bardosono

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13303
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10
p. e13303

Abstract

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Background Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) have been found to coexist in the population. OSAS and LPR also share obesity as an important risk factor. However, the relationship between LPR and OSAS remains unclear. This study aimed to correlate LPR as measured by the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Reflux Finding Score (RFS) with OSAS. Methods This cross-sectional study included sixty-four subjects who underwent anamnesis to complete the RSI and the Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS). The subjects were then divided into the OSAS and non-OSAS groups based on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) obtained through a polysomnography examination. Both groups underwent a flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy examination to determine the RFS. LPR was identified based on the RSI and RFS. Results The mean BMI of the OSAS group significantly was higher than the non-OSAS group (p < 0.05). Most of the subjects in the OSAS group exhibited mild-moderate OSAS (AHI 10–29), and severe OSAS occurred in only seven subjects. The mean RSI and RFS values in the OSAS group did not differ significantly from the non-OSAS group (p = 0.34 and p = 0.36, respectively). The proportion of LPR between the mild-moderate OSAS group, the severe OSAS group, and the non-OSAS group did not differ significantly (p = 1.00). RSI and RFS did not significantly correlate with AHI. Based on RSI, the proportion of LPR between the ESS (+) and ESS (-) groups did not significantly differ (adjusted p = 0.062). The proportion of LPR based on RFS was almost equal between the ESS (+) and ESS (-) groups (p = 0.817). Conclusions The BMI of the OSAS group was significantly higher than the non-OSAS group. There was no significant difference in RSI and RFS between the OSAS and non-OSAS groups. There was no significant correlation between RSI and AHI, or between RFS and AHI. There was no significant difference in the proportion of RSI between the ESS (+) and the ESS (-) groups.

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