Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Eustachian Tube Catarrh

ABSTRACT Background Eustachian tube catarrh could be due to laryngopharyngeal reflux besides other causes. Objectives To assess gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with Eustachian tube catarrh and the effect of proton pump inhibitors on symptoms of Eustachian tube disease. Methodology A total of 50 patients were selected with symptoms of Eustachian tube catarrh and evaluated prospectively in the ENT Outpatient Department of the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry. Results The group consisted of 15 (30%) males and 35 (70%) females. The largest group was of the age of 45 years and above (44%). The most common symptom of Eustachian tube catarrh was itching (84%), followed by otalgia (76%) and popping sensation on swallowing (74%). On otoscopic examination, the commonest grade of tympanic membrane retraction was grade I (57%), on tympanometry 90% of cases had middle ear pressure in range −100 to +100. The middle compliance ranged from 0.5 to 1.75 (normal) in 86% of the cases. The tympanomeric curve was type A (normal) in 78% of the cases and type C in 8% of the cases. At the end of 4 and 8 weeks, the response of treatment to proton pump inhibitors was significantly higher (z = 3.53, p < 0.05) in the studied group. Conclusion Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) could be an important etiological factor in Eustachian tube catarrh. The treatment, with proton pump inhibitors, of Eustachian tube catarrh with no local identifiable cause, could be very useful to this subsect of patients. How to cite this article Bhargava A, Cherian M, Cherian TA, Gupta S. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Eustachian Tube Catarrh. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2015;5(2): 61-66.