Reflux Symptom Index versus Reflux Finding Score

Abstract

Objectives:

We examined the correlation between the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Reflux Finding Score (RFS) to determine the laryngeal signs and symptoms that were most significantly correlated.

Methods:

Forty randomly selected patients were included in the study. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who fit the inclusion criteria. Videostroboscopic samples for the study group were reviewed and RFS-rated by 6 experienced raters on 2 different occasions to evaluate the interrater and intrarater reliability. The RSI and the RFS were statistically compared regarding both the total scores and the individual parameters.

Results:

The RFS ranged from 0 to 20, and the RSI varied from 14 to 38. There was a high agreement between the raters' scores, demonstrating high interrater and intrarater reliability for RFS. Additionally, the RSI and RFS were highly correlated (p < .0001). Hoarseness was highly correlated with vocal fold edema and thick laryngeal mucus (p < .01), and excessive throat clearing correlated significantly with thick endolaryngeal mucus (p < .01).

Conclusions:

The study demonstrates a highly significant correlation between the RFS and the RSI.

Keywords

laryngopharyngeal reflux Reflux Finding Score Reflux Symptom Index symptom-to-sign correlation

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