Correlation Between Presbylarynx and Laryngeal EMG

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Gerontology
• Neurology

Background:

• The aging process significantly impacts vocal function, leading to conditions like vocal fold atrophy, bowing, stiffness, and glottic insufficiency.
• Presbylarynx, a term describing age-related laryngeal changes, affects voice quality and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between presbylarynx and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) findings.
• To compare LEMG results in patients with presbylarynx to those in young and elderly individuals without presbylarynx but with vocal fold paresis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for voice patients between 2015 and 2019.
• Comparison of patients with confirmed presbylarynx to two control groups: elderly patients without presbylarynx and younger patients with vocal fold paresis.
• Analysis of social and medical factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, occupation, Voice Handicap Index, comorbidities, medications, and LEMG results.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in muscle recruitment (cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid) were found between the presbylarynx group and control groups.
• Higher rates of asthma were observed in the presbylarynx group compared to the first control group.
• Increased use of corticosteroid inhalers, thyroid medications, smoking, and higher Voice Handicap Index scores were noted in the presbylarynx group compared to the second control group.

Conclusions:

• Laryngeal EMG did not reveal significant differences in neuromuscular function between presbylarynx patients and age-matched controls with vocal fold paresis.
• Corticosteroid inhaler use is associated with the atrophic changes characteristic of presbylarynx.
• Further research is necessary to fully understand potential differences in neuromuscular function and validate these findings.