Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network, Michael J Elman, Lloyd Paul Aiello, Roy W Beck, Neil M Bressler, Susan B Bressler, Allison R Edwards, Frederick L Ferris, Scott M Friedman, Adam R Glassman, Kellee M Miller, Ingrid U Scott, Cynthia R Stockdale, Jennifer K Sun
Randomized trial evaluating ranibizumab plus prompt or deferred laser or triamcinolone plus prompt laser for diabetic macular edema.
Ophthalmology. 2010 Jun;117(6):1064-1077.e35. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2010.02.031. Epub 2010 Apr 28.
Abstract/Text
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab or 4 mg triamcinolone combined with focal/grid laser compared with focal/grid laser alone for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).
DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized clinical trial.
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 854 study eyes of 691 participants with visual acuity (approximate Snellen equivalent) of 20/32 to 20/320 and DME involving the fovea.
METHODS: Eyes were randomized to sham injection + prompt laser (n=293), 0.5 mg ranibizumab + prompt laser (n=187), 0.5 mg ranibizumab + deferred (> or =24 weeks) laser (n=188), or 4 mg triamcinolone + prompt laser (n=186). Retreatment followed an algorithm facilitated by a web-based, real-time data-entry system.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity and safety at 1 year.
RESULTS: The 1-year mean change (+/-standard deviation) in the visual acuity letter score from baseline was significantly greater in the ranibizumab + prompt laser group (+9+/-11, P<0.001) and ranibizumab + deferred laser group (+9+/-12, P<0.001) but not in the triamcinolone + prompt laser group (+4+/-13, P=0.31) compared with the sham + prompt laser group (+3+/-13). Reduction in mean central subfield thickness in the triamcinolone + prompt laser group was similar to both ranibizumab groups and greater than in the sham + prompt laser group. In the subset of pseudophakic eyes at baseline (n=273), visual acuity improvement in the triamcinolone + prompt laser group appeared comparable to that in the ranibizumab groups. No systemic events attributable to study treatment were apparent. Three eyes (0.8%) had injection-related endophthalmitis in the ranibizumab groups, whereas elevated intraocular pressure and cataract surgery were more frequent in the triamcinolone + prompt laser group. Two-year visual acuity outcomes were similar to 1-year outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal ranibizumab with prompt or deferred laser is more effective through at least 1 year compared with prompt laser alone for the treatment of DME involving the central macula. Ranibizumab as applied in this study, although uncommonly associated with endophthalmitis, should be considered for patients with DME and characteristics similar to those in this clinical trial. In pseudophakic eyes, intravitreal triamcinolone + prompt laser seems more effective than laser alone but frequently increases the risk of intraocular pressure elevation.
Copyright 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
L Reveiz, A F Cardona, E G Ospina
Antibiotics for acute laryngitis in adults.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Apr 18;(2):CD004783. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004783.pub3. Epub 2007 Apr 18.
Abstract/Text
BACKGROUND: Acute laryngitis is a common illness worldwide. Diagnosis is often made by case history alone and treatment is often directed towards controlling symptoms.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of different antibiotic therapies in adults suffering acute laryngitis. A secondary objective was to report the rates of adverse events associated with these treatments.
SEARCH STRATEGY: We systematically screened the following electronic databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2006); MEDLINE (January 1966 to December Week 2 2006); and EMBASE (1974 to June 2006), LILACS (from 1982 to December 2006 ) and BIOSIS (1980 to June 2002). Other strategies included hand searching relevant journals, searching ongoing trial databases and general databases such as Google scholar.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing any antibiotic therapy with placebo in acute laryngitis. The main outcome measurement was objective voice scores.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were independently extracted by two review authors and then descriptively synthesized.
MAIN RESULTS: Only two trials met study inclusion criteria after extensive literature searches. One hundred participants were randomly selected to receive either penicillin V (800 mg twice a day for five days), or an identical placebo, in a study of penicillin V in acute laryngitis in adults. A tape recording of each patient reading a standardized text was obtained during the first visit, subsequently during re-examination after one and two weeks, and at follow up after two to six months. No significant differences were found between the groups. The trial also measured symptoms reported by participants and found no significant differences. The second trial investigated erythromycin for treating acute laryngitis in 106 adults. The mean objective voice scores measured at the first visit, at re-examination after one and two weeks, and at follow up after two to six months did not significantly differ between control and intervention groups. At one week there were significant beneficial differences in the severity of reported vocal symptoms as judged by the participants (P = 0.042). Comparing the erythromycin and placebo groups on subjective voice scores the a priori relative risk (RR) was 0.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.96, P = 0.034) and the number needed to treat (NNT) was 4.5.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics appear to have no benefit in treating acute laryngitis. Erythromycin could reduce voice disturbance at one week and cough at two weeks when measured subjectively. We consider that these outcomes are not relevant in clinical practice. The implications for practice are that prescribing antibiotics should not be done in the first instance as they will not objectively improve symptoms.
日本音声言語医学会／日本喉頭科学会：音声障害診療ガイドライン 2018年版. 金原出版、2018.
James Paul Dworkin
Laryngitis: types, causes, and treatments.
Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2008 Apr;41(2):419-36, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2007.11.011.
Abstract/Text
Inflammatory processes that affect the unified airway can concurrently exert significant influence on the larynx and surrounding mucosal surfaces. Laryngeal inflammation can be present secondary to direct effects of irritants, toxins, and antigens, but can also involve mechanical and infectious effects as well as secondary inflammation from behavioral mechanisms. This review examines laryngeal inflammation in the context of the unified airway and discusses pathophysiologic mechanisms that are central to the development of acute and chronic laryngitis.
Rhinovirus (RV) Infection (Common Cold): Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology [Internet]. [cited 2022 Aug 12]. Available from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/227820-overview
Seth R Schwartz, Seth M Cohen, Seth H Dailey, Richard M Rosenfeld, Ellen S Deutsch, M Boyd Gillespie, Evelyn Granieri, Edie R Hapner, C Eve Kimball, Helene J Krouse, J Scott McMurray, Safdar Medina, Karen O'Brien, Daniel R Ouellette, Barbara J Messinger-Rapport, Robert J Stachler, Steven Strode, Dana M Thompson, Joseph C Stemple, J Paul Willging, Terrie Cowley, Scott McCoy, Peter G Bernad, Milesh M Patel
Clinical practice guideline: hoarseness (dysphonia).
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Sep;141(3 Suppl 2):S1-S31. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2009.06.744.
Abstract/Text
OBJECTIVE: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on managing hoarseness (dysphonia), defined as a disorder characterized by altered vocal quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort that impairs communication or reduces voice-related quality of life (QOL). Hoarseness affects nearly one-third of the population at some point in their lives. This guideline applies to all age groups evaluated in a setting where hoarseness would be identified or managed. It is intended for all clinicians who are likely to diagnose and manage patients with hoarseness.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this guideline is to improve diagnostic accuracy for hoarseness (dysphonia), reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, reduce inappropriate steroid use, reduce inappropriate use of anti-reflux medications, reduce inappropriate use of radiographic imaging, and promote appropriate use of laryngoscopy, voice therapy, and surgery. In creating this guideline the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation selected a panel representing the fields of neurology, speech-language pathology, professional voice teaching, family medicine, pulmonology, geriatric medicine, nursing, internal medicine, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, pediatrics, and consumers.
RESULTS: The panel made strong recommendations that 1) the clinician should not routinely prescribe antibiotics to treat hoarseness and 2) the clinician should advocate voice therapy for patients diagnosed with hoarseness that reduces voice-related QOL. The panel made recommendations that 1) the clinician should diagnose hoarseness (dysphonia) in a patient with altered voice quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort that impairs communication or reduces voice-related QOL; 2) the clinician should assess the patient with hoarseness by history and/or physical examination for factors that modify management, such as one or more of the following: recent surgical procedures involving the neck or affecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve, recent endotracheal intubation, radiation treatment to the neck, a history of tobacco abuse, and occupation as a singer or vocal performer; 3) the clinician should visualize the patient's larynx, or refer the patient to a clinician who can visualize the larynx, when hoarseness fails to resolve by a maximum of three months after onset, or irrespective of duration if a serious underlying cause is suspected; 4) the clinician should not obtain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the patient with a primary complaint of hoarseness prior to visualizing the larynx; 5) the clinician should not prescribe anti-reflux medications for patients with hoarseness without signs or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease; 6) the clinician should not routinely prescribe oral corticosteroids to treat hoarseness; 7) the clinician should visualize the larynx before prescribing voice therapy and document/communicate the results to the speech-language pathologist; and 8) the clinician should prescribe, or refer the patient to a clinician who can prescribe, botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of hoarseness caused by adductor spasmodic dysphonia. The panel offered as options that 1) the clinician may perform laryngoscopy at any time in a patient with hoarseness, or may refer the patient to a clinician who can visualize the larynx; 2) the clinician may prescribe anti-reflux medication for patients with hoarseness and signs of chronic laryngitis; and 3) the clinician may educate/counsel patients with hoarseness about control/preventive measures.
DISCLAIMER: This clinical practice guideline is not intended as a sole source of guidance in managing hoarseness (dysphonia). Rather, it is designed to assist clinicians by providing an evidence-based framework for decision-making strategies. The guideline is not intended to replace clinical judgment or establish a protocol for all individuals with this condition, and may not provide the only appropriate approach to diagnosing and managing this problem.
Raymond H Feierabend, Malik N Shahram
Hoarseness in adults.
Am Fam Physician. 2009 Aug 15;80(4):363-70.
Abstract/Text
Numerous conditions can cause hoarseness, ranging from simple inflammatory processes to more serious systemic, neurologic, or cancerous conditions involving the larynx. Evaluation of a patient with hoarseness includes a careful history, physical examination, and in many cases, laryngoscopy. Any patient with hoarseness lasting longer than two weeks in the absence of an apparent benign cause requires a thorough evaluation of the larynx by direct or indirect laryngoscopy. The management of hoarseness includes identification and treatment of any underlying conditions, vocal hygiene, voice therapy, and specific treatment of vocal cord lesions. Vocal hygiene education is an integral aspect of the treatment of hoarseness in most cases. Referral to a speech-language pathologist for voice therapy may be particularly helpful for patients whose occupation depends on singing or talking loudly or for prolonged periods. Voice therapy is an effective method for improving voice quality and vocal performance in patients with nonorganic dysphonia and for treating many benign pathologic vocal cord lesions. Referral for surgical or other targeted interventions is indicated when conservative management of vocal cord pathology is unsuccessful, when dysplasia or carcinoma is suspected, or when significant airway obstruction is present.
R W Chan
Does the voice improve with vocal hygiene education? A study of some instrumental voice measures in a group of kindergarten teachers.
J Voice. 1994 Sep;8(3):279-91.
Abstract/Text
This study investigated the efficacy of a program of vocal hygiene education designed for an occupational group at risk for dysphonia, namely, kindergarten teachers. Twelve female teachers explored concepts and knowledge of vocal abuse and vocal hygiene in a workshop session and attempted to practice vocal hygiene for 2 months. They showed significant voice improvement as assessed instrumentally in terms of three acoustic and electroglottographic parameters. There was no significant change of voice in a control group of 13 teachers. The results suggest that teachers were able to improve their voices if they significantly reduced vocal abuses in daily life and practiced specific strategies to maintain classroom order and reduce the use of voice in teaching.
Young-Sun Yun, Min-Beom Kim, Young-Ik Son
The effect of vocal hygiene education for patients with vocal polyp.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Oct;137(4):569-75. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2007.03.043.
Abstract/Text
OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess the effect of vocal hygiene education for patients suffering with vocal polyp and to discover the meaningful factors that can predict better outcomes with performing vocal hygiene.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Voice evaluation and vocal hygiene education were provided to 340 consecutive patients with vocal polyp. Three months later, 175 of the 340 patients completed a follow-up evaluation. According to the change in polyp size, these patients were divided into two groups: the "improvement" and the "no improvement." The effect of vocal hygiene was assessed. Eight parameters were compared between these two groups.
RESULTS: The "improvement" group was composed of 20% of the 340 patients and 38% of the 175 patients. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nonsmokers with a small polyp had the greatest possibility of improvement with vocal hygiene and so avoid unnecessary surgery.
CONCLUSION: Patients who do not smoke and who have a polyp that is small in size have a much better chance to improve their voice by performing vocal hygiene.
C Hopkins, U Yousaf, M Pedersen
Acid reflux treatment for hoarseness.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jan 25;(1):CD005054. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005054.pub2. Epub 2006 Jan 25.
Abstract/Text
BACKGROUND: Acid reflux is a common problem, and is thought to occur in 4% to 10% of patients presenting to ENT clinics. A recent study of reflux and voice disorders suggests that up to 55% of patients with hoarseness (dysphonia) have laryngopharyngeal reflux. Anti-reflux therapy is often used empirically in treating patients with hoarseness, where no other cause has been identified by examination.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the review was to assess the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness, in the absence of other identifiable causes, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made. This was assessed by evaluation of prospective randomised controlled studies that were identified by a systematic review of the literature. Both medical and surgical treatments were evaluated.
SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane ENT Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), EMBASE (1974 to 2005) and conference proceedings were searched with prespecified terms. The date of the last search was September 2005.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials recruiting patients with hoarseness in the absence of other identifiable causes, such as malignancy, cord palsy or nodules, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three reviewers examined the search results and identified studies before deciding which would be included in the review.
MAIN RESULTS: 302 potential studies were identified by the search strategy. No trials were identified which met our inclusion criteria. Six randomised controlled trials were identified in which some, but not all patients presented with hoarseness, and were treated with proton pump inhibition. As we could not determine with certainty whether all these patients had hoarseness among the other laryngeal symptoms, these were excluded. However, these studies suggest a significant placebo response, which is comparable to the benefit derived from anti-reflux therapy in some studies. As no trials met our criteria, we are unable to reach any firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of anti-reflux treatment for hoarseness.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness which may be due to laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
P C Belafsky, G N Postma, J A Koufman
Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms improve before changes in physical findings.
Laryngoscope. 2001 Jun;111(6):979-81. doi: 10.1097/00005537-200106000-00009.
Abstract/Text
BACKGROUND: Patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) undergoing treatment appear to have improvement in symptoms before the complete resolution of the laryngeal findings.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with LPR experience an improvement in symptoms before the complete resolution of the laryngeal findings.
METHODOLOGY: Forty consecutive patients with LPR documented by double-probe pH monitoring were evaluated prospectively. Symptom response to therapy with proton pump inhibitors was assessed at 2, 4, and 6 months of treatment with a self-administered reflux symptom index (RSI). In addition, transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy (TFL) was performed and a reflux finding score (RFS) was determined for each patient at each visit.
RESULTS: The mean RSI at entry was 19.3 (+/- 8.9 standard deviation) and it improved to 13.9 (+/- 8.8) at 2 months of treatment (P <.05). No further significant improvement was noted at 4 months (13.1 +/- 9.8) or 6 months (12.2 +/- 8.1) of treatment. The RFS at entry was 11.5 (+/- 5.2), and it improved to 9.4 (+/- 4.7) at 2 months, 7.3 (+/- 5.5) at 4 months, and 6.1 (+/- 5.2) after 6 months of treatment (P <.05 with trend).
CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of LPR improve over 2 months of therapy. No significant improvement in symptoms occurs after 2 months. This preliminary report demonstrates that the physical findings of LPR resolve more slowly than the symptoms and this continues throughout at least 6 months of treatment. These data imply that the physical findings of LPR are not always associated with patient symptoms, and that treatment should continue for a minimum of 6 months or until complete resolution of the physical findings.
I Syed, E Daniels, N R Bleach
Hoarse voice in adults: an evidence-based approach to the 12 minute consultation.
Clin Otolaryngol. 2009 Feb;34(1):54-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2008.01872.x.
Abstract/Text
BACKGROUND: The hoarse voice is a common presentation in the adult ENT clinic. It is estimated that otolaryngology/voice clinics receive over 50 000 patients with dysphonia each year. Good vocal function is estimated to be required for around 1/3 of the labour force to fulfil their job requirements. The assessment and management of the patient with a hoarse voice is potentially a complex and protracted process as the aetiology is often multi-factorial. This article provides a guide for the clinician in the general ENT clinic to make a concise, thorough assessment of the hoarse patient and engage in an evidence based approach to investigation and management.
METHOD: Literature search performed on 4 October 2008 using EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane databases using subject headings hoarse voice or dysphonia in combination with diagnosis, management, investigation, treatment, intervention and surgery.
RESULTS: General vocal hygiene is beneficial for non organic dysphonia but the evidence base for individual components is poor. There is a good evidence base for the use of voice therapy as first line treatment of organic dysphonia such as vocal fold nodules and polyps. There is little evidence for surgical intervention as first line therapy for most common benign vocal fold lesions. Surgery is, however, the treatment of choice for hoarseness due to papillomatosis. Both CO(2) laser and microdissection are equally acceptable modalities for surgical resection of common benign vocal fold lesions. Laryngopharyngeal reflux is commonly cited as a cause of hoarseness but the evidence base for treatment with gastric acid suppression is poor. Despite the widespread use of proton pump inhibitors for treating laryngopharyngeal reflux, there is high quality evidence to suggest that they are no more effective than placebo.
CONCLUSION: A concise and thorough approach to assessment in the general ENT clinic will provide the diagnosis and facilitate the management of the hoarse voice in the majority of cases. Voice therapy is an important tool that should be utilised in the general ENT clinic and should not be restricted to the specialist voice clinic. If there is no improvement after initial measures, the larynx appears normal and/or the patient has failed initial speech & language therapy, referral to a specialist voice clinic may be helpful. More research is still required particularly with regard to laryngopharyngeal reflux which is often cited as an important cause of hoarseness but is still poorly understood.
Ted Mau
Diagnostic evaluation and management of hoarseness.
Med Clin North Am. 2010 Sep;94(5):945-60. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2010.05.010.
Abstract/Text
Hoarseness is a common symptom that can result from a wide spectrum of underlying causes ranging from the common cold to a malignancy. A framework for diagnostic evaluation is presented based on categorizing the myriad of causes by how they interfere with the voice production mechanism. Triaging of cases by necessity or urgency of laryngoscopy is assisted by forming a global index of suspicion based on targeted history taking. Laryngoscopy is required in most cases to obtain a diagnosis for the hoarseness. Treatments commonly prescribed for hoarseness are critically examined in this article. To listen to audio clips of patients with different types of hoarseness, please visit our website, www.medical.theclinics.com.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Ji-Eon Kim, Barry Rasgon
The hoarse patient: asking the right questions.
Perm J. 2010 Spring;14(1):51-3.
Abstract/Text
Pieter M Pretorius, Chris A Milford
Investigating the hoarse voice.
BMJ. 2008 Oct 8;337:a1726. Epub 2008 Oct 8.
Abstract/Text
