The voice of reflux: A systematic review about acoustic voice analysis in reflux patients.

We summarize the current literature on acoustic voice analysis in gastroesophageal (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal (LPRD) reflux disease. Literature search on Pubmed and Cochrane Library between 04/-18/12/2023; all study types, keywords "reflux"/"voice"/"analysis", publication dates between 01/01/2000 and 18/12/2023, only publications dealing with acoustic voice analysis in reflux patients. N = 33 clinical trials found and analyzed. N = 27/33 publications confirm reproducible changes in acoustic voice analyses of reflux patients. Most studies worked with recording of vowel /a/ and used the software Kay Elemetrics MDVP. Most frequently analyzed parameters were fundamental frequency, percent/jitter, percent/shimmer. Results were quite inhomogeneous, not least due to the inconsistent study settings (analysis techniques and software), as well as mainly small, monocentric study designs. But acoustic voice analysis has potential; apart from LPRD patients, general GERD patients have hardly been analyzed and new possibilities are expected with technical advances.