Assessment of the incidence of LPR in the Greek population using the Reflux Symptom Index
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar

Using the self-administered nine-item Belafsky Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaire, the authors of this article assessed the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in the general adult Greek population as well as predisposing and associated factors for developing LPR. They found that the incidence of LPR in the Greek population was 18.8% without any statistically significant gender preponderance. The prevalence was high in the 50-64 age group. Smoking tobacco and consumption of alcohol was found to be associated with LPR. They did not find any other concomitant disease or medication to be related with LPR. This could be due to the small sample size of the population under study. The authors found RSI an easy and useful tool to assess for LPR in clinical practice. Similar epidemiological studies using the RSI may enable us to understand the aetiology, diagnosis of LPR and manage it better.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the Greek general population, prevalence and risk factors.
Spantideas N, Drosou E, Bougea A, Assimakopoulos D.
BMC EAR, NOSE AND THROAT DISORDERS
2015;15(7): doi: 10.1186/s12901-015-0020-2.