Laryngeal sensory neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus

To determine the prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A cross-sectional study was performed, comprising 50 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 36 healthy controls. In the diabetic group, glycaemic control level, disease duration and presence of neuropathy were assessed. Participants were diagnosed with laryngeal sensory neuropathy if they had a cough, globus pharyngeus or throat clearing lasting for more than six weeks, in the absence of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, allergies, asthma, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor intake or psychogenic disorders.

In the diabetic group, the mean age ± standard deviation was 44.66 ± 10.07 years. Sixty per cent of patients were male, 42 per cent had had diabetes for more than five years and 52 per cent had average to poor glycaemic control. The prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy was 42 per cent in the diabetic group, compared with 13.9 per cent in controls; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). There was no association between the prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy and glycaemic control level, disease duration or presence of neuropathy.

Laryngeal sensory neuropathy is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in controls.