Occult laryngeal pathology in a community-based cohort.
BACKGROUND
Little information is available regarding the prevalence of laryngeal pathology in adults.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of occult laryngeal pathology in a community-based cohort of adults over 40 years of age.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive volunteers over age 40 with no history of voice disorders were enrolled. All completed a self-administered laryngeal symptom questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive head and neck examination including transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy.


RESULTS
The mean age of the cohort was 61 years. Vocal fold bowing (presbylaryngis) was present in 72% of the patients, and findings of laryngopharyngeal reflux were present in 64% of the cohort. In addition, other laryngeal pathology were identified in 21%. Only 12% had a completely normal laryngeal examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Occult laryngeal pathology is very common in persons over 40. Findings suggestive of laryngopharyngeal reflux are present in 64%, and vocal fold bowing is present in 72% of persons over 40.
Reulbach
T R
TR
Center for Voice Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1034, USA.
Belafsky
P C
PC
Blalock
P D
PD
Koufman
J A
JA
Postma
G N
GN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000556:secondary; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology