ObjectiveTo explore and analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is manifested mainly as stubborn pharyngitis. MethodsFrom February 2010 to December 2012, 79 cases were diagnosed as stubborn pharyngitis and otolaryngology standard treatment was invalid. GERD questionnaire ratings and conventional endoscopy were performed for patients with obvious manifestations of stubborn pharyngitis shown on the laryngoscopy. They were randomly divided into treatment group (n=40) and control group (n=39). Patients in the treatment group accepted esomeprazole 40 mg, qd, for 12 weeks; and patients in the control group had sucralfate suspension 15 mL bid for 12 weeks. At the three observation points which are 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment began, clinical symptom score and pharyngeal inflammatory changes were recorded, and at the end of the treatment, all patients underwent endoscopy, and esophageal mucosal healing was observed. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in terms of general data. After the treatment, the symptom scores were significantly decreased in the treatment group at the three observation points (P<0.05). The same situation happened also in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The symptom scores between the two groups after treatment were significantly different (P<0.5). And the effective rate for local pharyngeal infection was 83.9% and 41.4% in the treatment group and the control group respectively (P<0.05). ConclusionSome atypical GERDs feature by the symptoms of stubborn pharyngitis. Clinically, patients with long-term stubborn pharyngitis should be screened to exclude the possibility of GERD. esomeprazole therapy can significantly improve the pharyngitis symptoms and relieve local inflammation.