Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2018 Dec;61(12):692-696. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00738.

Analysis of Relationship between Reflux Symptom Index and Psychiatric Problems

• Park IJ
• Kang JM
• Seo JH
• Hwang SH
• Youn HY
• Jin HJ
• Kang HR
• Joo YH

• KMID: 2430849
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00738

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the relationship between reflux symptom index (RSI) and psychiatric problems such as depression, somatization, and anxiety.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We prospectively analyzed 231 patients with symptoms with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) using the RSI and the reflux finding score.
RESULTS
Seventy nine patients (34.2%) were diagnosed with LPR. A significant correlation was detected between the RSI and depression (18.4±8.3 vs. 12.3±7.0, p < 0.001), anxiety (19.5±8.5 vs. 13.0±7.3, p < 0.001), and somatization (19.2±9.1 vs. 13.6±7.5, p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis confirmed a significant association between heartburn and depression [odds ratio (OR): 1.241, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003-1.537, p=0.047], choking and anxiety (OR: 1.747, 95% CI: 1.297-2.352, p < 0.001), and choking and somatization (OR: 1.707, 95% CI: 1.248-2.336, p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
Our preliminary results suggest that patients with high RSI may need to be carefully evaluated for psychiatric problems.

Keyword

Anxiety; Depression; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Somatoform disorders

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Anxiety
Depression
Heartburn
Humans
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Methods
Multivariate Analysis
Prospective Studies
Somatoform Disorders