Gastropharyngeal reflux appears to be associated with various otolaryngolog
ical complaints. Cigarette smoking is known to affect adversely the defense
mechanisms against reflux of acid gastric contents into the esophagus. To
study the relationship between gastropharyngeal, as well as gastroesophagea
l, reflux and cigarette smoking, 15 subjects underwent 24-hour double-probe
pH monitoring while smoking their daily amount of cigarettes. The percenta
ge of time the pH was below 4 during the smoking period was significantly h
igher than the percentage of time the pH was below 4 during the nonsmoking
period, proximal, at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter, as well a
s distal. above the lower esophageal sphincter. These findings demonstrate
that smoking increases gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Smoker
s with complaints and disorders caused by reflux should therefore be advise
d to stop smoking in order to reduce reflux.