Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Emotional Disorders: The Hidden Connection

J Craniofac Surg. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000012688. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this survey research is to examine the relationship between anxiety and depression in our laryngopharyngeal reflux patients.

METHODS: Group 1 consisted of 80 individuals diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Group 2, the control group, included 80 individuals without LPR, all of whom were the same age and sex. We compared the groups based on educational attainment and socioeconomic status. We used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) to assess anxiety and the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale (HAM-D) to assess depressive status.

RESULTS: Groups did not differ significantly in income or educational attainment. The patient and control groups had notably elevated HAM-A Anxiety scores, with medians of 11.0 (8.0-15.0) and 5.0 (3.0-6.0), respectively. The patient group’s median HAM-D Depression score was 9.0 (5.0-12.75), which is considerably higher than the control group’s 4.5 (3.0-6.0).

CONCLUSION: These findings show that the sick group had significantly greater levels of both anxiety and depression. Patients with LPR may benefit from a professional strategy that includes psychiatric evaluation and proper treatment of anxiety and depression.

PMID:41911565 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000012688