Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of resolving the anxieties of patients applying with globus pharyngeus by eliminating the possibility of any underlying malignant disease on the continuation of their complaints in the long-term.

METHODS: The study included 57 patients (19 males, 38 females; mean age 39.5±12 years) who admitted to our clinic between January 1999 and December 2014 with a sensation of something in their throat and who were evaluated with barium pharyngoesophagography, neck ultrasonography or computed tomography. Patients were contacted by telephone and questioned about whether or not their complaints continued.

RESULTS: Complaints of a total of 44 patients (77%; 11 males, 33 females) faded. While complaints of 58% of males and 87% of females faded, the difference in between was statistically significant (p<0.05). We classified the complaint durations of patients on admission as shorter than one year (short-term) and longer than one year (long-term). While complaints faded in 71% (12/17) of the group with short-term complaints, complaints faded in 80% (32/40) of the group with long-term complaints. Complaint durations of patients on admission were not effective on the fading of the complaints (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: In the globus pharyngeus complaint that does not relate to any organic pathology, resolving the anxiety by detecting the non-existence of any underlying malignant disease had a positive effect on the fading of patients’ complaints.