Laryngeal assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis using laryngeal photodocumentation

Objective The aim was to assess the prevalence of dysphonia and laryngeal changes upon videolaryngoscopic examination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Background RA effects on larynx vary from mild asymptomatic effect to life-threatening conditions. Many authors have emphasized the need of studies in different communities on its effect. In Egypt, the knowledge regarding its manifestations on the larynx, as well as its laryngeal alterations, is limited. Patients and methods A total of 79 patients diagnosed as having RA in Menoufia University Hospitals from March 2015 to March 2017 were assessed by taking history and asking about different laryngeal complaints followed by telescopic videolaryngeal examination. Results The estimated prevalence of laryngeal complaints in patients with RA was 57%. The most frequent complaints were globus pharyngeus in 53.2% of patients followed by phonasthenic symptoms in 32.9% of the patients. Dysphonia prevalence was 25.3%. Regarding videolaryngoscopic findings, the prevalence of changes was present in 86.15% of the patients. Most common finding has been posterior laryngitis, which was found in 78.5% of patients, followed by glottic gap in 34.2% and vocal folds rheumatoid nodules in 26.6% of them. Conclusion Laryngeal complaints and videolaryngoscopic morphological findings are prevalent among patients with RA, with a prevalence rate of 57 and 86.15%, respectively. The most frequent complaints were globus pharyngeus in 53.2% of patients followed by phonasthenic symptoms in 32.9% of the patients. Most common videolaryngoscopic findings have been posterior laryngitis, which was found in 78.5% of our patients, followed by glottic gaps in 34.2%.