Weaning of proton pump inhibitors in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) weaning protocol in a cohort of patients following successful empiric treatment for suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: LPRD patients were weaned from PPIs using a standardized weaning protocol. Symptom recurrence rate following PPI wean and present PPI use were determined. All numeric data were analyzed. The setting was a tertiary laryngology practice. The subjects were patients who had a positive response to empiric treatment for LPRD and subsequently were weaned from PPI therapy.

Results: Thirty-five patients with suspected LPRD were instructed to wean from PPI after successful empiric treatment of their LPRD symptoms from July 2013 to September 2015. Twenty-three patients (66%) remained symptom-free post-wean. Twelve patients (34%) had symptom recurrence post-wean; of those, 11 of them (92%) needed to go back on a PPI. Median durations of follow-up for the unsuccessful wean group and the successful wean group were 13 (range 6-29) months and 18 (range 6-38) months, respectively. Pre-wean and post-wean reflux symptom index (RSI) scores in the unsuccessful wean group were 7.7 ± 5.6 and 12.9 ± 6 (P = .11). Pre-wean and post-wean RSI scores in the successful wean group were 8.1 ± 6.5 and 8.1 ± 9.0 (P < .99). Body mass index (BMI) was found to be a significant predictor of failure to wean (odds ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.55-0.95) after controlling for age, sex, PPI treatment duration, and PPI regime. None of the other covariates were found to be significant predictors of failure of PPI wean.

Conclusion: Approximately 66% of patients who were on PPIs for LPRD were successfully weaned. High BMI was significantly predictive of failure to wean.

Level Of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:133-137, 2018.