Reinke's oedema, hormones and hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the implications of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment in the pathogenesis of Reinke's oedema (via a possible pseudo-hypothyroidism effect), and also to study why the disease affects a predominantly post-menopausal female population.


METHODS
Prospective case series study.


METHODS
Two teaching hospitals and two district general hospitals in Scotland, UK.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients diagnosed with Reinke's oedema who presented in the out-patient department before or after treatment.


RESULTS
Thyroid function tests were normal in all but two cases. Only three patients were receiving HRT treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The study produced no evidence to support a relationship between HRT treatment and the pathogenesis of Reinke's oedema; this supports previous studies which concluded that thyroid function was not related to the development of Reinke's oedema. Some new ideas regarding hormonal factors in Reinke's oedema are discussed.
Tsikoudas
A
A
St John's Hospital and the Western General Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. alexandros.tsikoudas@tuht.scot.nhs.uk
Kochillas
X
X
Vernham
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism
D013963:Thyroid Hormones