Prevalence of Laryngeal and Pharyngeal Symptoms in Patients with Environmental Allergy
Manish D Shah, Sarah K Wise, Melissa R Rotella, Avani P Ingley, Michael M Johns
Citation Information :
Shah MD, Wise SK, Rotella MR, Ingley AP, Johns MM. Prevalence of Laryngeal and Pharyngeal Symptoms in Patients with Environmental Allergy. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2014; 4 (1):1-4.
The effect of environmental allergy on laryngeal and pharyngeal complaints is not well understood. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of laryngeal and pharyngeal symptoms in patients with environmental inhalant allergy.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing allergy skin testing between 2006 and 2009. Patients with positive skin tests were included and were classified as ‘mild’ or ‘extensive’ reactors based on skin testing results. Data regarding laryngeal and pharyngeal complaints, as well as ocular and nasal symptoms, had been systematically documented for all patients. The prevalence of these complaints was calculated in each group of reactors and overall.
Results
The prevalence of laryngeal and pharyngeal complaints was 42.0% overall, 45.5% among the mild reactors, and 39.3% in the extensive reactors. No patients complained of hoarseness or were felt to have dysphonia. There was no statistically significant difference between the mild and extensive reactors (p = 0.78). The prevalence of ocular and/or nasal symptoms was 96.0, 90.9 and 100%, respectively.
Conclusion
The prevalence of laryngeal and pharyngeal complaints in allergy sufferers was low in this study. Given the conflicting literature on this topic, there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between environmental allergy and laryngeal and pharyngeal symptoms.
How to cite this article
Shah MD, Wise SK, Rotella MR, Ingley AP, Johns MM. Prevalence of Laryngeal and Pharyngeal Symptoms in Patients with Environmental Allergy. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2014;4(1):1-4.
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