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Molecular pathways and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of laryngopharyngeal reflux

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Abstract

The prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been constantly rising in the western world and affects today an alarmingly high percentage of the general population. Even though LPR and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both the product of gastroesophageal reflux and seem to be sibling disorders, they constitute largely different pathological entities. While GERD has been for a long time identified as a source of esophageal disease, LPR has only recently been associated with head and neck disorders. Despite the high incidence of LPR and its great impact on patients’ quality of life, little is known regarding its pathogenesis. On the other hand, studying the molecular and genetic basis of a disease is of fundamental importance in medicine as it offers better insight into the pathogenesis and opens new, disease-specific therapeutic trends. The aim of this study is to enlighten any known or suspected molecular mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of LPR, and to suggest new trends for future research.

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The authors certify that they have no potential conflict of interest with any entity mentioned in the manuscript titled “Molecular pathways and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of laryngopharyngeal reflux”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece

    Alexios S. Vardouniotis, Alexander D. Karatzanis & George A. Velegrakis

  2. Department of Thoracic Medicine, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece

    Eleni Tzortzaki, Katerina D. Samara & Nikolaos Siafakas

  3. Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pulmonology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece

    Eleni Tzortzaki, Katerina D. Samara & Nikolaos Siafakas

  4. Department of General Surgery, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece

    Elias Athanasakis & Georgios Chalkiadakis

  5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Crete, 71110, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Alexios S. Vardouniotis

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  1. Alexios S. Vardouniotis
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Vardouniotis, A.S., Karatzanis, A.D., Tzortzaki, E. et al. Molecular pathways and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 266, 795–801 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-0966-z

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