Laryngeal and Esophageal EGF-r Expression in Patients With Reflux Laryngitis

* Saliva plays an important role in the homeostasis of the digestive tract mucosa. * Salivary organic components, such as the Epidermal Growth Factor(EGF) have been found in defficient concentrations in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reflux related laryngitis (LPR). * The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways that regulate growth, survival, proliferation, and differentiation in mammalian cells * Eperdermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression has been linked to hyperproliferative diseases. * It is unknown if the inflammatory process in GERD is realated to difficiencies in EGFR expression. * The objective of the current study was to try to establish a correlation between the expression of EGFR in the laryngeal and esophageal mucosa and the severity of laryngitis in adults with GERD and LPR