Extra-esophageal reflux, NOSE score, and sleep quality in an adult clinic population.

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn negatively impact sleep; the impact of extraesophageal reflux (EER) symptoms on sleep is unknown. This study's goal was to evaluate the association of EER and measures of nasal obstruction, mood, insomnia, hypersomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk. Cross-sectional study. Tertiary care hospital. A prospective cohort of adult patients was evaluated using validated questionnaires for insomnia (PSQI), hypersomnia (ESS), OSA risk (STOP-Bang), sleep quality of life (FOSQ-10), EER reflux symptoms (RSI), nasal symptoms (NOSE), and measures of mood (HADA). Pharyngeal saliva samples underwent Western blot immunoassay for pepsin. Ninety-three adults (mean age 50.2 ± 15.2 years, 43% female) were evaluated. Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) was elevated in 32% of patients and significant heartburn symptoms were reported in only 12% of patients. Prevalence of pepsin (+) was 27%. Both RSI and NOSE were significantly associated with sleep measures related to insomnia (r = 0.48 and r = 0.50; P < 0.001, respectively), Quality of Life (QOL) (r = 0.30 and r = 0.34; P < 0.001, respectively), and hypersomnolance (r = 0.18 and P < 0.04; r = 0.29 and P < 0.01, respectively), but not apnea risk (all P < 0.05). Nasal symptoms and mood were associated with all non-OSA sleep metrics (r = 0.24). In multivariate analysis, both NOSE and RSI remained significantly associated with sleep measures. Insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep QOL are associated with measures of EER, nasal symptoms, and mood but not OSA risk, supporting that disrupted sleep may be associated with EER and nasal symptoms independent of sleep apnea.