Peer Reviewed
Clinical case review

Laryngopharyngeal reflux

Jonathan Livesey
Abstract
Can gastro-oesophageal reflux be the cause of a sore throat or other pharyngeal problem when there are no classic symptoms to suggest the presence of reflux?
Key Points
    Case scenario

    Over the last couple of years, many of my patients who have a chronic sore throat or pharyngeal mucus end up being told they have reflux oesophagitis, although they have no heartburn, regurgitation or obvious reflux. Some of these patients go on to have endoscopy and there doesn’t appear to be a good correlation between what is found at endoscopy and the diagnosis. Is there good evidence that reflux can cause a sore throat without any other symptoms being present to suggest it? Is this just a medical fashion?

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