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