Vocal fold atrophy in a Japanese tertiary medical institute: status quo of the most aged country.
OBJECTIVE
Voice problems in the geriatric population are increasing worldwide. Since the demographic research of geriatric voice patients in Japan, the country of the most advanced Aging Society, is missing, the authors assessed the current trend of geriatric voice patients, especially patients with presbylarynx at a tertiary medical institute of Japan.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
From a review of the medical records of newly referred patients, patients aged 65 years and older and patients with vocal fold atrophy were selected, and demographic data, questionnaires, and parameters of aerodynamic and acoustic study, and videostroboscopy were analyzed in terms of age and gender. Subsequently, the difference between patients with presbylarynx and 20 vocally healthy elderly subjects were assessed with multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
Of 1157 newly referred patients seen at the Voice Outpatient Clinic between 2006 and 2012, patients aged 65 years and older accounted for 37% (428 patients): there was 7% increase during the past 7 years and the prevalence was considerably higher than any other previous reports. Vocal fold atrophy accounted for 11% (128 patients) of all patients: dysphonia in patients with vocal fold atrophy aggravated as age advanced; there was a gender difference; and multivariate analysis revealed that reflux laryngitis, chronic medical condition, and vocal abuse were risk factors of presbylarynx.


CONCLUSIONS
In Japan, elderly dysphonic patients were prevalent and rapidly increasing in recent years. Age- and gender-related differences should receive attention. Preventive approach on risk factors such as reflux laryngitis, chronic medical condition, and vocal abuse should be considered in the management of presbylarynx.
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: drachilles23@yahoo.co.jp.
Akihito
A
Yamauchi
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Hiroshi
H
Imagawa
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Ken-Ichi
K
Sakakaibara
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Hisayuki
H
Yokonishi
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Rumi
R
Ueha
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Takaharu
T
Nito
Department of Otolaryngology and Tracheo-esophagology, The National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Niro
N
Tayama
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Tatsuya
T
Yamasoba
D000162:Acoustics; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001284:Atrophy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010699:Phonation; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D049489:Stroboscopy; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality
Aged society; Epidemiology; Presbylarynx; Vocal fold atrophy