Association between gastroesophageal reflux and sinusitis, otitis media, and laryngeal malignancy: a systematic review of the evidence

This study was conducted to review and evaluate the published evidence for an association between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and 3 supraesophageal pathologies: sinusitis, otitis media, and laryngeal malignancy. Relevant articles were located using MEDLINE (search limits: 1966–2001, English language, human studies). Only new data or new analyses of previous data were included. Relevant articles were designated by their level of evidence, based on published standards, and grouped by pathology. An overall grade was assigned to each group for the strength of evidence for or against an association. The search produced 152 articles, 42 of which met inclusion criteria and were reviewed in detail. There is grade C evidence for a positive association between GER and sinusitis (57 articles screened, 14 articles included); for a negative association between GER and otitis media (28 articles screened, 10 articles included); and for a positive association between GER and laryngeal malignancy (67 articles screened, 18 articles included). The published literature weakly supports a positive association between GER and both sinusitis and laryngeal malignancy, and a negative association between GER and otitis media.