Patients and setting
Patients with a positive LPR diagnosis at the 24-hour
hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance
pH-monitoring (HEMII-pH) prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns were followed
throughout the lockdown period (March 2020 to December 2021) in the
Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery of XX. To be
included, patients had to start the antireflux diet and medical
treatment just before the lockdown and were followed in consultation
during one or both lockdown periods. Patients with an external important
source of stress during the lockdown (other than the pandemic) or those
who did not adhere to the antireflux diet were excluded.
The LPR diagnosis was based on the occurrence of >1 acid or
nonacid pharyngeal reflux evens at the HEMII-pH (OFF
medication).5 The probe placement and configuration
characteristics were detailed in previous
publication.6