gms | German Medical Science

79th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

30.04. - 04.05.2008, Bonn

Dysphonia as hint for stage change in cases of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Basel Al Kadah - Dept. of Otolaryngology, Marburg, Germany
  • Holger Hanschmann - Dept. of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, Marburg, Germany
  • Lisa Zanders - Dept. of Otolaryngology, Marburg, Germany
  • Roswitta Berger - Dept. of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, Marburg, Germany
  • Jochen A. Werner - Dept. of Otolaryngology, Marburg, Germany

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 79th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Bonn, 30.04.-04.05.2008. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2008. Doc08hno01

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/hno2008/08hno01.shtml

Published: July 8, 2008

© 2008 Al Kadah et al.
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Outline

Text

Introduction: While children often show clear symptoms the „march of the allergens” beginning with food allergies, neurodermatitis, and allergic rhinitis (AR) up to bronchial hyperreagibility and asthma, the stage change of starting allergy is less clear in adults. The vocal cords are the transition between the upper and lower respiratory tract. The objective of the study was to verify if laryngeal symptoms may be considered as hint for stage change.

Methods: 64 patients presenting in our consultation for allergic patients were questioned about their allergic symptoms and voice disorders (VHI) by means of a standardised questionnaire. After history, ENT specific examination with nasal endoscopy and prick test, vocal cord stroboscopy and acoustic voice analysis were performed (GHD). Further blood test was performed for specific and total IgE.

Results: From all 64 patients with symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis 17 suffered from bronchial asthma. Four different groups could be identified: (1) AR without dysphonia without asthma (n=39), (2) AR with dysphonia and without asthma (n=8), (3) AR without dysphonia with asthma (n=13), and (4) AR with dysphonia and with asthma (n=4). The VHI score was 0–7 in group 1, in group 2 it was 8–12, in group 3 0–5, and in group 4 8–37. The GHD showed in the groups 1 and 3 showed normal findings (except 6 patient), in the group 2 and 4 the findings were conspicuous.

Conclusion: Dysphonia may be an indicator for stage change and the urgent need for treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis requires special laryngeal diagnosis.


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