J Rhinol.  2012 May;19(1):40-44.

Effect of Gastroesophageal Reflux on the Symptoms and Treatment Result of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

• Han BD
• Shin SM
• Kim YR
• Ye MK
• Shin SH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is characterized by the retrograde movement of gastric contents into the esophagus and laryngopharynx. Recent studies have described a relationship between GER and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of GER affects the symptoms and treatment results of OSA.
METHODS
One hundred twenty-seven OSA patients were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Objective symptoms were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-BREF (WHOQOL). Diagnosis of GER was based on the Korean version of GER questionnaires. Post-operative subjective symptoms were evaluated 3 months after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
RESULTS
Body mass index, ESS, and SSS were significantly higher in the GER group, but polysomnographic parameters were not different between two groups. In the GER group, post-operative overall health quality was significantly improved, but the subjective symptoms were not different between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the prevalence of GER was higher in OSA patients, GER did not significantly influence OSA symptoms and post-operative results.

Keyword

Gastroesophageal Reflux; Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Polysomnography; Epworth Sleepiness Scale; Stanford Sleepiness Scale; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

MeSH Terms

Body Mass Index
Esophagus
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hypopharynx
Polysomnography
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
World Health Organization
Surveys and Questionnaires