Role of salivary function in patients with globus pharyngeus

Abstract

Background. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and the clinical role of salivary hypofunction in patients with globus sensation. Methods. We conducted a prospective observational study in 340 patients with globus pharyngeus. A standard questionnaire and ^99mTc-pertechnate salivary scintigraphy were used to evaluate salivary hypofunction, with a full examination from the nasal cavity to the larynx (N = 303). We also investigated the effect of xerostomia management on globus symptoms (N = 252). Results. The symptom scores for xerostomia were higher in patients with severe globus (p < .05). Objective salivary hypofunction was noted in 57.4% of the patients, based on the reference values from control groups. Globus symptoms were more severe in the subgroup with salivary hypofunction (p = .0447). Conservative management of xerostomia significantly reduced the severity of globus at 1 and 3 months (p = .0002) regardless of salivary function. Conclusions. Salivary hypofunction seems to be an aggravating factor in globus pharyngeus, but not a direct cause. Conservative management of xerostomia improves globus symptoms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010