Use of inhaled versus oral steroids for acute dysphonia

Andréa Moreira Veiga De Souza,André De Campos Duprat,Rejane Cardoso Costa,Janaína De Oliveira Pimenta,Fernanda Fonseca De Sá Andrade,Fernanda Ferreira Da Silva

doi:10.5935/1808-8694.20130035

Abstract

Acute dysphonia is a frequent condition in clinical practice. Its treatment, especially in adults, is not well established in the literature. Steroids are the most recommended drug treatment. However, the existing studies are not enough to establish superiority among the different steroids and the best route of administration. ObjectiveThis prospective clinical study aimed at comparing the effect of inhaling steroids as a dry powder with the effect of oral steroids to treat acute dysphonia. MethodWe assessed 32 adult patients, broken down into two groups of 16 patients in each one of the treatments, before and seven days after the use of the medication. The patients were submitted to videolaryngoscopy and perceptive and acoustic voice assessment. ResultOral and inhalation treatment significantly reduced hyperemia and edema, and improved the muco-ondulatory movement; nonetheless, edema reduction was statistically more significant (p = 0.012) in the patients treated with the inhalation form of the drug. However, comparing the values of the auditory perceptive analysis and the acoustic measures after treatment between the groups was not statistically significant. ConclusionThere was a significant improvement in the acute laryngitis concerning the assessments carried out in all the patients assessed, concerning the two treatments. The inhalation steroid treatment was significantly more effective in reducing the edema.

Highlights

Acute dysphonia impacts verbal communication and it may lead to numerous types and levels of limitations which have repercussions both in the individual’s social as well as professional lives
There was a significant improvement in the acute laryngitis concerning the assessments carried out in all the patients assessed, concerning the two treatments
Vocal rest is paramount in the treatment of acute dysphonia by laryngitis[2]; for most of the patients who came for medical care it is not possible to do it, other treatments are needed

Summary

Introduction

Acute dysphonia impacts verbal communication and it may lead to numerous types and levels of limitations which have repercussions both in the individual’s social as well as professional lives. In such a case, it is increasingly more frequent in clinical practice to have patients who seek medical care, eager for a rapid and effective intervention, which enables voice normalization and return to their activities as soon as possible. Vocal rest is paramount in the treatment of acute dysphonia by laryngitis[2]; for most of the patients who came for medical care it is not possible to do it, other treatments are needed

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion