Study to investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) through oropharyngeal pH-monitoring and pepsin saliva measurements

Abstract

Objective- This study aimed to explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients with OSA, utilizing oropharyngeal pH-monitoring and detecting pepsin in saliva samples. Materials and
Methods- A total of 55 adult patients experiencing primary patient-reported sleep disturbances alongside symptoms indicative of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), were recruited included in this study.Pepsin concentration in saliva was measured using autoanalyzer. Results-Significant positive relationships were found in the association study between the LPR and the following characteristics related to sleep and reflux: total number of arousals, RSA, reflux time at pH<6.5, and Ryan score. The amount of pepsin in the morning was negatively correlated with the length of the paradoxical sleep period. The length of sleep with a saturation level less than 90% was correlated with the amount of pepsin taken before bed. The results of the GI endoscopy and OSA did not significantly correlate.
Conclusion-The study revealed a significant occurrence of reflux events during oropharyngeal pH monitoring and elevated levels of pepsin in saliva among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).