Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) may present with severe extra-gastrointestinal symptoms – including a persistent cough, vocal problems, asthma or difficulty swallowing – that can be incorrectly attributed to ENT problems because patients and GPs alike assume they stem from colds, allergies or over-using the voice. Differential diagnosis of LPR in primary care is key to directing appropriate treatment for this gastrointestinal condition, including selecting the right therapies and making the appropriate lifestyle changes earlier. Not least because misdiagnosed and untreated reflux can also permanently damage the oesophagus, and contribute to conditions such as Barrett’s oesophagus, oesophageal adenocarcinoma and laryngeal cancer.
Reflux is typically investigated with complex, invasive and expensive procedures, including pH monitoring, pH impedance testing and endoscopy. However, Peptest from BIOHIT Healthcare Ltd is a rapid immunological test that can streamline the management of patients, by quickly and conclusively detecting a reflux episode. This innovative diagnostic test – based on lateral flow technology that quantifies the presence of stomach-derived pepsin in the upper digestive and respiratory tracts – could play a key role in directing the assessment of patients with symptoms suggestive of reflux in primary care and can also be used to monitor disease activity and guide appropriate treatment.
Peptest is just one of the many innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tests that BIOHIT supplies. The company’s extensive portfolio of systems is designed to transform clinical practice by providing efficient and cost-effective diagnostics, improving patient management and easing the strain on healthcare services. Visit BIOHIT at the following events in the ENT calendar to discuss the role of Peptest in the management of reflux:
- Ear, Nose & Throat Conference 2022 (30th March)
- ENT UK Spring Meeting (8th April)
- ENT Scotland Summer Meeting (12th May)
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