BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reflux laryngitis gives rise to inflammatory change in the pharyngolaryngeal tissue with various otolaryngologic and respiratory symptoms. Histamine H2 receptor antagonists and H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase are currently used as therapeutic medications. However, the efficacy of those two drugs on reflux laryngitis has never been proven yet. Therefore, we intended to analyze and compare the efficacy of the two drugs on reflux laryngitis.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: Among the patients who had visited the Department of Otolaryngology, those with the total score of greater than 6 and having more than 2 symptoms that score greater than 2, had undergone laryngoscopy. Of these, the patients who had shown greater than 7 on the Belafsky’s Reflux Finding Score (RFS) were studied. The RAN (Ranitidine) group (59 subjects) with Ranitidine administered and RAB (Rabeprazole)group (66 subjects) with Rabeprazole were followed up for 12 weeks, and then the efficacy of each drug was evaluated at 2nd, 4th, and 12th week. Then, the Symptom Score Improvement (SSI) and RFS were compared and analyzed.
RESULTS: In comparison the RAN group that had Histamine H2 receptor antagonists and prokinetic agents administered to the RAB group that had H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase and prokinetic agents administered for the improvement of symptoms caused by reflux laryngitis, no difference was observed till after the first 2 weeks. On the evaluation at 4th and 12th week, statistically higher therapeutic efficacy was shown to a great extent in the RAB group. The findings of laryngoscopy at the 12th week also showed higher therapeutic efficacy in the RAB group. In comparison of symptoms between the groups, there were significant differences in pharyngolaryngeal foreign body sense and chronic throat clearing, and laryngeal edema and injection as well.
CONCLUSION: For therapy of reflux laryngitis patients with moderately severe symptoms, the use of H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase and prokinetic agents were superior in improving symptoms and clinicopathologic findings of larynx than Histamine H2 receptor antagonists and prokinetic agents.
|