title: Dysphonia associated with inhaled steroids.
abstract: The use of inhaled steroids in the treatment of asthma is not without its complications. In some studies up to 50% of such patients complain of oropharyngeal and voice problems. We present the findings in 22 patients complaining of dysphonia who underwent videostrobolaryngoscopy (VSL) and computerized speech analysis. A number of abnormalities were identified. On VSL, these included mucosal changes (noted in 58%), apposition abnormalities (noted in 43%), and supraglottic hyperfunction (noted in 40%). On speech analysis, cycle-to-cycle irregularity was frequently noted (mean of 39%). Maximum phonation time was reduced in 73%. Our findings did not confirm the widely held views that steroid dysphonia is due primarily to a fungal infection or a steroid-induced adductor myasthenia of the larynx. A larger-scale prospective study is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lavy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harries
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids