AB126. SOH24AB_079. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy findings in patients presenting with epipharyngitis
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AB126. SOH24AB_079. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy findings in patients presenting with epipharyngitis

Nyabwire Kaare1, Nyamateja Kaare2, Majura Kaare2, Heather Holloway3, John Fenton1,2,3

1Professorial Surgical Unit, Department of Academics ORL-HNS, Clinical Educational Research Clinic, University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland; 2Faculty of Education & Health Services, University Limerick Medical School, Garraun, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland; 3Consultant Gastroenterologist, Bon Secours Hospital Limerick at Barrington, Limerick, Ireland

Background: Correlation between the reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) with evidence of gastro-oesophageal disease (GORD) has not been found previously. Epipharyngitis is considered by our department as a probable sign of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Response to three months of empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment is deemed confirmatory as there is as of yet no proven definitive diagnostic method to date. The three anticipated outcomes on commencing treatment are: (I) improved with no need for maintenance therapy, (II) much better but unable to wean off medication or (III) no worthwhile improvement with or without persistent epipharyngitis (LPR still suspected). At follow-up, the second two groups of patients are referred for flexible oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) as part of a routine protocol. The aim of this audit was to assess the OGD findings of these two-groups, correlate with the outlined practice and report on the usefulness of the strategy.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed of all patients with Epipharyngitis referred to a single gastroenterologist (H.H.). During a recent 4-year period was performed. Patient demographics including age, sex, previous history of LPR/GORD and medication history were tabulated. Presenting symptoms with degree of Epipharyngitis, response to medication, reason for referral and OGD findings were recorded.

Results: Twenty-two patients were identified. Seventeen (75%) had evidence of GORD. There were no malignant cases found.

Conclusions: OGD provides reassurance in all patients while confirming Epipharyngitis as an indicator of symptomatic reflux.

Keywords: Epipharyngitis; laryngopharyngeal; reflux; oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD); proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

doi: 10.21037/map-24-ab126
Cite this abstract as: Kaare N, Kaare N, Kaare M, Holloway H, Fenton J. AB126. SOH24AB_079. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy findings in patients presenting with epipharyngitis. Mesentery Peritoneum 2024;8:AB126.

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