Extraesophageal Reflux - Feasibility of Measurement of Pepsin in Saliva as a Diagnostic Option

Extraesophageal reflux (EER) has recently been found to be a risk factor for many head and neck pathologies. Many studies have shown that contact between the refluxed content and mucous tissue can cause local inflammation and edema and thus facilitate the development of inflammation. Although important, the diagnostics of EER is not easy. The simplest means of collecting information about reflux problems is questioning potential sufferers. However, although many questionnaires have been developed over the last few years, questioning is still not a suitable technique for the evaluation of EER, the reason being that symptoms of EER are heterogeneous and very common. Currently, 24-h dual-probe esophageal pH monitoring or impedance is considered the best diagnostic method for EER. The 24-h oropharyngeal pH monitoring is a newer method aimed at detecting episodes of reflux to the oropharynx and seems to generate similar results. However, these methods may not be tolerated well. Moreover, the position of the sensor, which is placed in the hypopharynx or oropharynx, does not precisely reflect the amount of reflux content that reaches larynx, nasopharynx, nasal cavity or middle ear. Another disadvantage of pH monitoring is that it enables only a short-term analysis over a timespan of just 24-48 h. Detection of pepsin in fluids and tissues is considered by some authors to be perhaps more appropriate than pH monitoring because it reflects the long-term effects of EER and proves that EER is truly affecting the examined region. This is particularly true for more distant regions like the middle ear. Pepsin detection in saliva would be very well tolerated and fast diagnostic method. However, data of its reliability are lacking. The aim of the study is to compare results of oropharyngeal pH monitoring and esophageal impedance monitoring, compared to a quantified pepsin presence in the saliva obtained immediately prior to 24-hour monitoring and to evaluate the feasibility of this diagnostic option as a routine method.