The validity and reliability of the reflux finding score (RFS)

Background: The evaluation of medical and surgical outcomes relies on metho ds of accurately quantifying treatment results. Currently, there is no vali dated instrument whose purpose is to document the physical findings and sev erity of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Objective. To evaluate the validit y and reliability of the reflux finding score (RFS). Methods: Forty patient s with LPR confirmed by double-probe pH monitoring were evaluated pretreatm ent and 2,4, and 6 months after treatment. The RFS was documented for each patient at each visit. For test-retest intraobserver reliability assessment , a blinded laryngologist determined the RFS on two separate occasions. To evaluate interobserver reliability, the RIPS was determined by two differen t blinded laryngologists. Results. The mean age of the cohort was 50 years (+/- 12 standard deviation [SDI). Seventy-three percent were women. The RFS at entry was 11.5 (+/- 5.2 SD). This score improved to 9.3 (+/- 4.7 SD) at 2 months, 7.3 (+/- 5.5 SD) at 4 months, and 6.1 (+/- 5.2 SD) at 6 months o f treatment (P < .001 with trend). The mean RFS for laryngologist no. 1 was 10.8 (+/- 4.1 SD) at the initial screening and 10.8 (+/- 4.0 SD) at the re peat evaluation (r = 0.95, P < .001). The mean RFS for laryngologist no. 2 was 11.1 (+/- 3.8 SD) at the initial screening and 10.9 (+/- 3.7 SD) at the repeat evaluation (r = 0.95, P < .001). The correlation coefficient for in terobserver variability was 0.90 (P < .001). Conclusions. The RIPS accurate ly documents treatment efficacy in patients with LPR It demonstrates excell ent inter- and intraobserver reproducibility.