Q: Dr. Berke is there any connection between spasmodic dysphonia and esophageal reflux?

Simple answer: Yes and no. It is surprising to see how many patients have spasmodic dysphonia and have GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease); but it is also surprising how many people in the general population show GERD symptoms. If an SD patient has GERD it is always a good idea to treat it. Most of these patients need GERD treatment to get good results for their SD, especially for ABductor patients. Many of the ABductor spasmodic dysphonia patients have GERD.

Dr. Maragos stated he does not believe in GERD as a causative agent (as some think it is). He stated it can co-exist, especially with ADductor SD patients due to the strong pressure being built up in the thorax, (to produce speech) it would be easy for the stomach acid to come up rather easily. There is coexistence there and if a patient has GERD, then it needs to be treated. He doesn't believe causation of GERD associated with spasmodic dysphonia has been proven.

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My take on this is that they were saying SD is NOT caused by acid reflux, BUT, it is possible that the effort involved in forcing speech in AD SD could cause acid reflux or at the very least, aggravate an existing case of it.

The doctors' comments are taken from the transcript of the symposium - you can read this at www.dystonia-support.org and click on "Symposium reports".