title: Corticosteroid-induced laryngeal disorders in asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inhaled corticosteroids have proven to be the most effective agent available in treating bronchial asthma, and such treatment is believed to be very safe. Concerns regarding side effects of inhaled corticosteroids usually focus on potential systemic effects, where local side effects are often overlooked. The purpose of this study was to analyze and assess the influence of inhaled corticosteroids on the vocal cords of patients treated for bronchial asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients (mean age: 50 years, range: 22 to 83 years) suffering from asthma and receiving corticosteroidal inhaled agents entered in this study. All of the patients underwent detailed videoscopic examination of the larynx. None complained of any laryngeal disorders or dysfunction before the diagnosis of asthma. All of the patients were non-smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes in the laryngeal status were observed. Changes included atrophy of laryngeal mucosa, vocal fold atrophy, and vocal fold bowing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Damage to the larynx is an important factor in patients with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids, which elicit apoptosis of the epithelium.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department of the Medical University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland. krecicki@orl.am.wroc.pl
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krecicki
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liebhart
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morawska-Kochman
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liebhart
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zatoński
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zalesska-Krecicka
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones