Reinke's oedema, hormones and hormone replacement therapy

Abstract

To study the implications of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment in the pathogenesis of Reinke's oedema (via a possible pseudo-hypothyroidism effect), and also to study why the disease affects a predominantly post-menopausal female population. Prospective case series study. Two teaching hospitals and two district general hospitals in Scotland, UK. Thirty-three patients diagnosed with Reinke's oedema who presented in the out-patient department before or after treatment. Thyroid function tests were normal in all but two cases. Only three patients were receiving HRT treatment. The study produced no evidence to support a relationship between HRT treatment and the pathogenesis of Reinke's oedema; this supports previous studies which concluded that thyroid function was not related to the development of Reinke's oedema. Some new ideas regarding hormonal factors in Reinke's oedema are discussed.