The Globus Symptom: Incidence, Therapeutic Response, and Age and Sex Relationships

Abstract

The globus symptom was found to be the seventh most common initial complaint (4.1%) among 4,330 consecutive first-visit patients to a general otolaryngology clinic. Globus is a well-defined clinical symptom that is persistent, difficult to treat, and has a tendency to recur. The incidence is fairly constant among men. Relative to men, women are affected three times more commonly at 50 years of age and below and with equal frequency above 50 years. No seasonal variation in incidence was noted and men and women responded similarly to treatment. The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in our patients with globus was 38% v 36% in the general population. Treatment response of the globus symptom was unrelated to treatment response of reflux symptoms even with antireflux therapy. We conclude there is no etiologic relationship between the globus symptom and gastroesophageal reflux.