Analysis of Age-Related Differences of Risk Factors and Comorbidities in Laryngotracheal Stenosis Patients

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a life threatening airway problem that is mainly caused by prolonged intubation. The authors intend to assess whether there was variability in the risk factors depending on age, and to determine which risk factors and comorbidities were more important in the development of LTS at older or younger ages. Fifty-two LTS patients were evaluated for comorbidities and risk factors retrospectively. The LTS etiologies, demographics, and medical and surgical histories of the patients were determined by the medical records. The patients under 40 years old were defined as group 1, and the patients 40 years of age or older were defined as group 2. Our study revealed that with regard to GERD, hypertension, DM2, and pulmonary infection, there was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.025, p = 0.0005, p = 0.002, and p = 0.000, respectively). Those patients ≥ 40 years old exhibited higher rates of GERD, hypertension, DM2, and pulmonary infection. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to smoking, alcohol consumption, COPD/asthma, immunological disease, and obesity (BMI > 30). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all the risk factors except a previous tracheotomy (p = 0.115). The risk factors and comorbidities thought to be involved in the development of LTS could show age-related variability. Therefore, in patients over 40 years of age with comorbidities (GERD, hypertension, DM2, and pulmonary infection), it is necessary to take precautions before the development of LTS. Prolonged intubation and tracheotomy history are the main risk factors for all patients, regardless of age.