Prevalence of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease in War-Torn Syria and Its Association with Smoking and Other Risks

Abstract

Backgrounds: Syria has entered its ninth year of conflict and as its medical sector facing major hurdles, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is often overlooked although it has an association with worsening quality of life and affecting many aspects as it is chronic and left untreated although it can lead to many complications such as dysphonia. This study is to evaluate LPR prevalence and its association with different aspects such as cigarette, and shisha smoking, and the effect of war on LPR.

Methods: Cross-sectional study by using online questionnaires that included demographics, smoking, war related questions and reflux symptom index (RSI) were used online in many cities around Syria.

Findings: This research included 734 responders with 75.5% being female and the mean age being 23.97 years. 31.9% of subjects had symptoms suggestive of LPR. Participants were Syrians and we included every responder who agreed and did not neglect any question. We only found that being distressed from war noises was associated with positive LPR symptoms [P=0.009 (OR, 1.562; 95% CI 1.117-2.183)], but losing someone or changing place of living due to war were not associated with LPR. LPR was associated with cigarette smoking (P<0.05). Finally, having asthma, and male gender in the younger population were associated with LPR (P<0.05). No clear association with age, or shisha and no significant associations were found with consanguinity, marital status, educational level and SES.

Interpretations: About one third had LPR symptoms. War distress from war noise, cigarette smoking, asthma, and allergic were significantly correlated with LPR.

Funding Statement: None.

Declaration of Interests: None to declare.

Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by Damascus University, faculty of medicine.