Search

Background:Globus pharyngeus has been linked to salivary hypofunction. We hypothesise that a considerable portion of the globus experienced by patients is due to a drying effect secondary to anticholinergic medication use; this study aimed to determine their association.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted of 270 patients who presented to a laryngology practice over 6 months. Participants rated globus sensation on a 5-point severity scale, with those scoring 0 considered as controls (non-globus). Participants were excluded if they had a likely cause of globus. Scores were compared with participants’ medication lists, co-morbidities, age and gender, and evaluated using multivariate analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05.Results:Any participant taking at least 2 anticholinergic medications had a 3.52 increased odds (p = 0.02) of experiencing globus. A previous diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease was also significantly associated with globus (p = 0.004), with an odds ratio of 3.75.Conclusion:A substantial portion of idiopathic globus may be due to anticholinergic use or reflux. The findings implicate medication use as a risk factor for globus. An awareness of these associations is invaluable for identifying cause and treating globus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:The aetiology and outcomes for patients with acquired subglottic stenosis are highly variable. This study aimed to identify risk factors for subglottic stenosis and patient characteristics that predict long-term clinical outcomes.Methods:A retrospective review was performed on 63 patients with subglottic stenosis and 63 age-matched controls. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were compared. Subglottic stenosis patients were further grouped according to tracheostomy status (i.e. tracheostomy never required, tracheostomy initially required but patient eventually decannulated, and tracheostomy-dependent). Patient factors from these three groups were then compared to evaluate risk factors for long-term tracheostomy dependence.Results:Compared to controls, patients with subglottic stenosis had a significantly higher body mass index (30.8 vs 26.0 kg/m2; p < 0.001) and were more likely to have diabetes (23.8 per cent vs 7.94 per cent; p = 0.01). Comparing tracheostomy outcomes within the subglottic stenosis group, body mass index trended towards significance (p = 0.08). Age, gender, socio-economic status, subglottic stenosis aetiology and other co-morbidities did not correlate with outcome.Conclusion:Obesity and diabetes are significant risk factors for acquiring subglottic stenosis. Further investigations are required to determine if obesity is also a predictor for failed tracheostomy decannulation in subglottic stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]