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Occult laryngeal pathology in a community-based cohort
T R Reulbach1, P C Belafsky, P D Blalock
1Center for Voice Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1034, USA.
Background:
Little information is available regarding the prevalence of laryngeal pathology in adults.
Purpose:
To estimate the prevalence of occult laryngeal pathology in a community-based cohort of adults over 40 years of age.
Methods:
One hundred consecutive volunteers over age 40 with no history of voice disorders were enrolled. All completed a self-administered laryngeal symptom questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive head and neck examination including transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy.
Results:
The mean age of the cohort was 61 years. Vocal fold bowing (presbylaryngis) was present in 72% of the patients, and findings of laryngopharyngeal reflux were present in 64% of the cohort. In addition, other laryngeal pathology were identified in 21%. Only 12% had a completely normal laryngeal examination.
Conclusions:
Occult laryngeal pathology is very common in persons over 40. Findings suggestive of laryngopharyngeal reflux are present in 64%, and vocal fold bowing is present in 72% of persons over 40.