Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Does laryngopharyngeal reflux cause intraoral burning sensations? A preliminary study

  • Miscellaneous
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Intraoral burning sensations are a common problem in the otolaryngological practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate if laryngopharyngeal reflux can cause intraoral burning sensations by measuring oropharyngeal acid reflux. Patients with recurring intraoral burning sensations underwent oropharyngeal pH monitoring in our outpatient clinic. The pH catheter was placed at the level of the uvula. The catheter contained an externally worn transmitter, which wirelessly sent the data to a monitor. In addition, patients were instructed to indicate meals or the occurrence of burning sensations by pressing provided buttons on the monitor. Corresponding events of burning sensations and a significant decrease in oropharyngeal pH values should be visualized. Twenty two patients suffering from recurring intraoral burning sensations underwent oropharyngeal pH measurement for 21–25 h. We could find oropharyngeal reflux episodes in 11 patients. However, we could not detect any episodes of burning sensations in the mouth corresponding with a decrease in oropharyngeal pH values. Our results suggest that there is no causal connection between LPR episodes and the occurrence of intraoral burning sensations in the examined patients. Although further studies with more patients are necessary in the future, we conclude from our findings that recurring intraoral burning sensations are not an indication for proton pump inhibitor therapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bergdahl M, Bergdahl J (1999) Burning mouth syndrome: prevalence and associated factors. J Oral Pathol Med 28(8):350–354

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Grushka M, Epstein JB, Gorsky M (2002) Burning mouth syndrome. Am Fam Physician 65(4):615–620

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Scala A, Checchi L, Montevecchi M, Marini I, Giamberardino MA (2003) Update on burning mouth syndrome: overview and patient management. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 14(4):275–291

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ship JA, Grushka M, Lipton JA, Mott AE, Sessle BJ, Dionne RA (1995) Burning mouth syndrome: an update. J Am Dent Assoc 126(7):842–853

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Koufman JA, Aviv JE, Casiano RR, Shaw GY (2002) Laryngopharyngeal reflux: position statement of the committee on speech, voice, and swallowing disorders of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 127(1):32–35

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Zerbib F, Stoll D (2010) Management of laryngopharyngeal reflux: an unmet medical need. Neurogastroenterol Motil 22(2):109–112

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Correa MC, Lerco MM, Henry MA (2008) Study in oral cavity alterations in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Arq Gastroenterol 45(2):132–136

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Di Fede O, Di Liberto C, Occhipinti G et al (2008) Oral manifestations in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a single-center case–control study. J Oral Pathol Med 37(6):336–340

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Campisi G, Lo RL, Di Liberto C et al (2008) Saliva variations in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. J Dent 36(4):268–271

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Belafsky PC, Postma GN, Koufman JA (2001) The validity and reliability of the reflux finding score (RFS). Laryngoscope 111(8):1313–1317

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Belafsky PC, Postma GN, Koufman JA (2002) Validity and reliability of the reflux symptom index (RSI). J Voice 16(2):274–277

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Field EA, Speechley JA, Rugman FR, Varga E, Tyldesley WR (1995) Oral signs and symptoms in patients with undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency. J Oral Pathol Med 24(10):468–470

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kleinegger CL, Krolls SO (1996) Severe pernicious anemia presenting with burning mouth symptoms. Miss Dent Assoc J 52(1):12–14

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lehman JS, Bruce AJ, Rogers RS (2006) Atrophic glossitis from vitamin B12 deficiency: a case misdiagnosed as burning mouth disorder. J Periodontol 77(12):2090–2092

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Sun G, Muddana S, Slaughter JC et al (2009) A new pH catheter for laryngopharyngeal reflux: normal values. Laryngoscope 119(8):1639–1643

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Lazarchik DA, Filler SJ (1997) Effects of gastroesophageal reflux on the oral cavity. Am J Med 103(5A):107S–113S

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Arai T, Ohkuri T, Yasumatsu K, Kaga T, Ninomiya Y (2010) The role of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 on neural responses to acids by the chorda tympani, glossopharyngeal and superior laryngeal nerves in mice. Neuroscience 165(4):1476–1489

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Caterina MJ, Leffler A, Malmberg AB et al (2000) Impaired nociception and pain sensation in mice lacking the capsaicin receptor. Science 288(5464):306–313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tominaga M, Caterina MJ, Malmberg AB et al (1998) The cloned capsaicin receptor integrates multiple pain-producing stimuli. Neuron 21(3):531–543

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Vandenplas Y, Franckx-Goossens A, Pipeleers-Marichal M, Derde MP, Sacre-Smits L (1989) Area under pH 4: advantages of a new parameter in the interpretation of esophageal pH monitoring data in infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 9(1):34–39

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Dobhan R, Castell DO (1993) Normal and abnormal proximal esophageal acid exposure: results of ambulatory dual-probe pH monitoring. Am J Gastroenterol 88(1):25–29

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Johnston N, Knight J, Dettmar PW, Lively MO, Koufman J (2004) Pepsin and carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme III as diagnostic markers for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. Laryngoscope 114(12):2129–2134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Knight J, Lively MO, Johnston N, Dettmar PW, Koufman JA (2005) Sensitive pepsin immunoassay for detection of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Laryngoscope 115(8):1473–1478

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Reichel O, Issing WJ (2008) Impact of different pH thresholds for 24-hour dual probe pH monitoring in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux. J Laryngol Otol 122(5):485–489

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Belafsky PC, Postma GN, Amin MR, Koufman JA (2002) Symptoms and findings of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Ear Nose Throat J 81(9 Suppl 2):10–13

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Maragou P, Ivanyi L (1991) Serum zinc levels in patients with burning mouth syndrome. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 71(4):447–450

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Grushka M, Ching V, Epstein J (2006) Burning mouth syndrome. Adv Otorhinolaryngol 63:278–287

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Balasubramaniam R, Klasser GD, Delcanho R (2009) Separating oral burning from burning mouth syndrome: unravelling a diagnostic enigma. Aust Dent J 54(4):293–299

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Vucicevic-Boras V, Topic B, Cekic-Arambasin A, Zadro R, Stavljenic-Rukavina A (2001) Lack of association between burning mouth syndrome and hematinic deficiencies. Eur J Med Res 6(9):409–412

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Bove M, Ruth M, Cange L, Mansson I (2000) 24-H pharyngeal pH monitoring in healthy volunteers: a normative study. Scand J Gastroenterol 35(3):234–241

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Vincent DA Jr, Garrett JD, Radionoff SL, Reussner LA, Stasney CR (2000) The proximal probe in esophageal pH monitoring: development of a normative database. J Voice 14(2):247–254

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Chheda NN, Seybt MW, Schade RR, Postma GN (2009) Normal values for pharyngeal pH monitoring. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 118(3):166–171

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Fenoll-Palomares C, Munoz Montagud JV, Sanchiz V et al (2004) Unstimulated salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity of saliva in healthy volunteers. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 96(11):773–783

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Bardow A, Moe D, Nyvad B, Nauntofte B (2000) The buffer capacity and buffer systems of human whole saliva measured without loss of CO2. Arch Oral Biol 45(1):1–12

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. O’Connell MB, Madden DM, Murray AM, Heaney RP, Kerzner LJ (2005) Effects of proton pump inhibitors on calcium carbonate absorption in women: a randomized crossover trial. Am J Med 118(7):778–781

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Targownik LE, Lix LM, Metge CJ, Prior HJ, Leung S, Leslie WD (2008) Use of proton pump inhibitors and risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. CMAJ 179(4):319–326

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Siller-Matula JM, Spiel AO, Lang IM, Kreiner G, Christ G, Jilma B (2009) Effects of pantoprazole and esomeprazole on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel. Am Heart J 157(1):5–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Ho PM, Maddox TM, Wang L et al (2009) Risk of adverse outcomes associated with concomitant use of clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors following acute coronary syndrome. JAMA 301(9):937–944

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Carbone M, Pentenero M, Carrozzo M, Ippolito A, Gandolfo S (2009) Lack of efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in burning mouth syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Pain 13(5):492–496

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Femiano F, Gombos F, Scully C, Busciolano M, De Luca P (2000) Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology. Oral Dis 6(5):274–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Femiano F, Gombos F, Scully C (2004) Burning mouth syndrome: the efficacy of lipoic acid on subgroups. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 18(6):676–678

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Femiano F, Gombos F, Scully C (2004) Burning mouth syndrome: open trial of psychotherapy alone, medication with alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid), and combination therapy. Med Oral 9(1):8–13

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Sven Becker, Christine Schmidt, Alexander Berghaus, Uta Tschiesner, Bernhard Olzowy & Oliver Reichel

Authors
  1. Sven Becker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christine Schmidt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alexander Berghaus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Uta Tschiesner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bernhard Olzowy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Oliver Reichel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oliver Reichel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Becker, S., Schmidt, C., Berghaus, A. et al. Does laryngopharyngeal reflux cause intraoral burning sensations? A preliminary study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 268, 1375–1381 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-011-1543-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-011-1543-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation