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Updated: May 24, 2026
Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
Pharyngo-laryngeal dysfunction and severe COPD
C Marécaux1, M Poncelet1, O Bonhomme2
1Service d'ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Objectives:
The course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) features episodic exacerbation, contributing to severity. The present study assessed associations between COPD, dysphonia and dysphagia. Laryngeal aspiration is a risk factor for repeated exacerbation of COPD. Certain risk factors are common to COPD and laryngeal pathology; dyspnea impairs phonation and swallowing.
Material And Methods:
This prospective study included 29 patients with group E COPD outside of exacerbation episodes, and free of neurodegenerative disease and history of head and neck cancer. Phonation and swallowing were assessed concomitantly.
Endpoints:
The main study endpoint was the prevalence of phonation and swallowing disorders in severe COPD. The secondary objective was to determine whether vocal disorder is a marker of dysphagia in patients at risk of respiratory infection.
Results:
Prevalence of dysphonia and dysphagia was high on objective assessment but underestimated in self-reports. More than 50% of patients showed deficits in at least 1 mechanism of swallowing, and notably delayed triggering of the pharyngeal reflex. Only the s/z ratio was significantly associated with dysphagia.
Conclusion:
Dysphagia and dysphonia are frequent and underestimated in severe COPD. The present study argues for systematic objective screening of swallowing disorder, even in the absence of complaint or dysphonia.
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