The benefits of Peptest have been highlighted in a recent edition of ENT & Audiology News, a bi-monthly magazine and online channel for ENT (ear, nose and throat) and audiology professions.
In its May/June edition, Jane Shaw, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust, shares her experiences using Peptest in her clinical practice for investigating voice disorders.
Voice disorders occur when something affects the vocal cords. Common causes include inflammation from reflux, smoking, allergies and infections. Reflux, in particular, brings stomach pepsin into the throat, causing inflammatory changes that affect the vocal cords.
Jane highlights that Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) accounts for up to 10 per cent of otolaryngology consultations but clinicians frequently miss it. Identifying LPR as the cause of a voice disorder is crucial for timely, targeted, and effective therapy.
Challenges in diagnosing vocal disorders
In her article, Jane explains that historically, vocal disorders involving inflammation of the larynx have presented a considerable challenge to clinicians working in SLT.
The general lack of non-invasive and precise diagnostic methods has led to a reliance on reported symptoms, clinical observations, and endoscopy.
This approach has increased the risk of potential misdiagnoses and unnecessary PPI use at a primary-care level, as well as additional time and cost investment for the NHS in secondary care. These issues demonstrate a clear need for more accurate and efficient ways of diagnosing silent reflux.
The role of Peptest
Jane and her team at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust use Peptest to address this diagnostic gap. Peptest is a simple and rapid diagnostic test that detects pepsin in the throat, providing a non-invasive and precise method for diagnosing silent reflux.
Traditionally, diagnosing reflux-related voice disorders involved using the Reflux Symptom Index, taking detailed case histories, examining the voice box, and conducting treatment trials with proton pump inhibitors, liquid alginate products, and lifestyle changes. The previous gold standard test was also 24-hour pH monitoring, which was invasive and time-consuming.
By adopting Peptest, clinicians can reduce unnecessary treatments, improve patient outcomes, as well as optimise healthcare resources. It’s encouraging to see Peptest gaining recognition in the medical community for its role in advancing the diagnosis and management of voice disorders.
Peptest detects pepsin — the stomach enzyme that indicates reflux — in a saliva sample. Developed by the late Professor Peter Dettmar and used in over 40 countries, it is available directly to patients as well as NHS and private clinics.
- CE-IVD certified
- ISO 13485 manufacture
- Validated in 1,033-patient UK study
- Used in NHS voice clinics
Recent Comments