A recent study (R Rosen et al. J Pediatr 2017; 183: 127-31) adds additional data to the literature which has shown that ENT doctors are NOT able to tell if there is reflux by examining the airway.

Prior post on this topic: Accuracy of ENT diagnosis of Reflux Changes

This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study of 77 children correlated ENT examinations with “reflux finding score” (RFS) by three blinded otolaryngologists with objective measures of reflux: pH-metry and impedance.  All children had chronic cough and underwent bronchoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Key findings:

• “There was no correlation between pH-MII variables and mean RFS”
• The concordance correlation for RFS between ENT doctors was low (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.32)
• Using pH-metry as a gold standard, the positive predictive value for the RFS was 29% whereas with MII as the gold standard, the positive predictive value for the RFS was 40%.

My take: ENT doctors are unable to tell if a patient has reflux.  The finding of a red or swollen airway has poor predictive value in determining the presence of reflux –a coin toss is more reliable.  Based on this study and others, starting a PPI because of an abnormal airway exam does not make sense.

Related blog posts:

• PPI Webinar NAPSPGHAN
• Treating reflux does not help asthma | gutsandgrowth
• Salivary Pepsin Doesn’t Pass Muster for Reflux
• Does Reflux Lead to Increased Aspiration Pneumonia? | gutsandgrowth
• How Likely is Reflux in Infants with “Reflux-like … – gutsandgrowth
• No Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Irritability on … – gutsandgrowth
• pH Testing; Rumors of My Death are Premature
• The prosecution rests…PPIs on trial  gutsandgrowth
• PPI Side Effects: “Dissecting the Evidence” | gutsandgrowth
• Do medicines work for GERD infants? | gutsandgrowth
• Failure of PPI test | gutsandgrowth
• One for the PPI team | gutsandgrowth

Monet, Musee de l’Orangerie