Treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux using a sleep positioning device: A prospective cohort study

Publication date: Available online 27 June 2017
Source:American Journal of Otolaryngology
Author(s): William S. Tierney, Scott L. Gabbard, Claudio F. Milstein, Michael S. Benninger, Paul C. Bryson
ObjectiveLaryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms are often resistant to management and cause significant quality of life impairment to patients with this disease. This study assesses the utility of a sleep-positioning device (SPD) in treating LPR.DesignSingle center prospective cohort study.SettingTertiary medical centerParticipants27 adult patients with diagnosed laryngopharyngeal reflux.InterventionAn SPD consisting of a two-component wedge-shaped base pillow and a lateral positioning body pillow (Medcline, Amenity Health Inc.) was given to patients with a diagnosis of LPR. Subjects slept using the device for at least 6h per night for 28 consecutive nights.Main outcomesPrimary outcomes were Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ) and the Reflux Symptoms Index (RSI) survey instrument. Each was collected at baseline, after 14, and after 28days of SPD use.Results27 patients (19 female and 8 male; age 57.1±12.8, BMI 29.0±8.1) were recruited. At baseline mean N-GSSIQ was 50.1±22.4 and mean RSI of 29.6±7.7. Repeated measure analysis showed that subjects' total N-GSSIQ scores decreased by an average of 19.1 (p=0.0004) points by two weeks and 26.5 points by 4weeks (p<0.0001). RSI decreased an average of 5.3 points by 2weeks (p=0.0425) and an average of 14.0 points by 4weeks (p<0.0001).ConclusionsIn patients with LPR, SPD treatment significantly improves self-reported symptoms of nocturnal reflux as well as symptoms specific to LPR. These results support the therapeutic efficacy of a SPD for patients with LPR.



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