Vocal cord dysfunction: a functional cause of respiratory distress

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a condition characterized by abnormal adduction of the vocal cords during respiration.
• VCD can mimic asthma, leading to misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment.
• Understanding the heterogeneity of VCD is essential for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diverse clinical and physiological phenotypes of VCD.
• To emphasize the need for individual identification of these phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of existing literature and clinical observations.
• Phenotypic characteristics were analyzed based on clinical presentation and physiological assessments.

Main Results:

• VCD exhibits a range of clinical manifestations, including inspiratory stridor, dyspnea, and cough.
• Physiological assessments reveal varied patterns of glottic closure and airflow limitation.
• Distinct patient subgroups based on phenotype can be identified.

Conclusions:

• Vocal cord dysfunction is not a monolithic entity but comprises several distinct phenotypes.
• Individualized assessment and identification of VCD phenotypes are necessary for targeted therapeutic approaches.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the spectrum of VCD and its management.