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Objectives/hypothesis: Phantom odor perception has been correlated with burden of vascular risk among older adults. We evaluated associations between vascular conditions and phantom odor perception among adults in the United States., Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis., Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected as part of the 2011 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, yielding a nationally representative sample of 7,417 adults aged 40 years and older. Phantom odor perception was defined as report of an unpleasant, bad, or burning odor when nothing is there. Participants reported on vascular conditions including history of stroke. Total cholesterol and glycated hemoglobinwere measured. High blood pressure was ascertained during an examination., Results: Stroke was associated with a 76% greater likelihood of phantom odor perception. Congestive heart failure and angina were associated with three times and 2.8 times the odds of phantom odor perception among adults 40 to 59 years and 60 years and older, respectively. Adults with diagnosed, but controlled, high cholesterol reported phantom odors more frequently than those without high cholesterol. Adults with diagnosed, but controlled, high blood pressure reported phantom odors more frequently than those without high blood pressure. We observed a threefold greater odds of phantom odor perception among adults aged 60 years and older with diabetes, but only among those who use both insulin and oral medications., Conclusions: Stroke, angina, congestive heart failure, well-managed high blood pressure, and well-managed high cholesterol are associated with phantom odor perception. Vascular or metabolic conditions or their treatments may contribute to reporting of phantom odor perception., Level of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 130:332-337, 2020., (© 2019 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objectives/hypothesis: To examine the prevalence of voice disorders in young adults and identify sociodemographic factors, health conditions, and behaviors associated with voice disorder prevalence., Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health., Methods: During home interviews, 14,794 young adults, aged 24 to 34 years, reported their health conditions and behaviors. Presence and duration of voice disorders were reported over the past 12 months. We computed overall and stratified prevalence estimates by age, gender, race/ethnicity, medical conditions, smoking, and alcohol use. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for a voice disorder while accounting for the complex sample design., Results: Six percent of participants reported a voice disorder lasting at least 3 days. Females had 56% greater odds of voice disorders than males. Number of days drinking alcohol was associated with voice disorders, but number of smoking days was not. Conditions that increased the likelihood of voice disorders included hypertension (OR = 1.42 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.07-1.89]), tinnitus (OR = 1.53 [95% CI: 1.06-2.20]), and anxiety/panic disorder (OR = 1.26 [95% CI: 1.00-1.60]). Results were independent of gender, alcohol consumption, upper respiratory symptoms, and lower respiratory conditions including asthma, bronchitis/emphysema, and gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea/nausea/vomiting)., Conclusions: Voice disorders in young adulthood were associated with hypertension, tinnitus, and anxiety. Greater awareness of these relationships may facilitate voice evaluation among people who seek healthcare for these chronic conditions., Level of Evidence: 2b Laryngoscope, 127:2093-2099, 2017., (© 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)