VOICE DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED LARYNGO-PHARYNGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Many symptoms have been recognized in association with laryngo-pharyng eal reflux disease (LPRD), but reports of perceptual voice disorders i n this condition have been lacking to date. Forty-nine patients with s uspected LPRD were studied for five specific perceptual voice characte ristics, and these characteristics were compared to the same character istics in individuals who had never seen an Otolaryngologist for a voi ce disorder or throat problem (controls). Sixteen of the suspected LPR D patients also underwent 24-hour pH probe studies. All patients with suspected LPRD had significantly increased abnormal perceptual voice c haracteristics (musculoskeletal tension, hard glottal attack, glottal fry, restricted tone placement, and hoarseness) compared to the contro ls. Statistical objective differences between the two groups was demon strated by the presence of increased shimmer in patients with suspecte d LPRD compared to controls. The differential diagnosis between functi onal voice disorders and LPRD may be complex, and perceptual parameter s may overlap. Interdisciplinary evaluation is advocated.