Correlation Between Refractory Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The occurrence, development, and prognosis of refractory laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) may be related to anxiety and depression. Our study aims to investigate anxiety and depressive symptoms in LPRD and clarify the correlations among them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with LPRD and subsequently referred to the Department of Mental Health for treatment. The patients were divided into the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)/Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) positive group (+) and the SAS/SDS negative group (−). All patients were treated (oral administration) with a standard dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI, omeprazole 20 mg bid) plus one tablet of Deanxit (flupentixol-melitracen) after breakfast. Treatment efficacy was evaluated after one month of drug treatment. The therapeutic effect of PPI treatment alone was compared with that treated with PPI + Deanxit. RESULTS: Among 28 patients with refractory LPRD, the main reflux symptoms and signs were specific. There were differences in gender distribution and age distribution among the 28 patients with refractory LPRD, and there were 17 patients (60.7%) in the SAS/SDS (+) group and 11 patients in the SAS/SDS (−) group (39.3%). Regarding efficacy evaluation after one month of PPI + Deanxit treatment, the differences in indices before and after treatment were statistically significant (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Anxiety and depressive symptoms influence the occurrence, development, and treatment efficacy of refractory LPRD. Attention to and targeted treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms can help improve the treatment outcomes of patients with refractory LPRD.