Laryngeal findings of patients with Parkinson's disease

Background: Impairments of articulation, respiration, and phonation are a c ommon symptom of Parkinson's disease and may result in reduced communicatio n. Previous observations have shown a high incidence of laryngeal abnormali ties. However, no relevant data were available for gender differences of la ryngeal abnormalities in Parkinson's disease. Method: Thirty-nine female an d 61 male patients with Parkinson's disease were examined. The laryngeal fu nction was explored by laryngoendoscopy and laryngostroboscopy in respirati on and production of [i:] during normal pitch and normal loudness. Results: Abnormal function of vocal cord abduction and adduction were observed in 5 4% of the women and 39% of the men; more patients had reduced abduction. Bi lateral vocal fold atrophy was seen in 36% of the women and 56% of the men, while 41% of the women and 57% of the men had a bilateral hypertrophy vent ricular fold. Phase closure incompetence was found in 60.5% of the women an d 49% of the men. Abnormal amplitude and mucosal waveform were seen in more male patients, while 30.7% of the women and 25% of the men had a laryngeal tremor. Gender differences were observed with respect to common laryngeal symptoms. Conclusion: This study concludes that laryngeal abnormalities in Parkinson's disease show a high degree of gender differences. The percentag e of patients with abnormal abduction of the vocal cord was higher than has been reported in other studies. Vocal-fold bowing appear to be related to vocal fold atrophy. Although patients with Parkinson's disease frequently e xhibit vocal fold atrophy, other mechanisms and causes should be discussed. Patients with tremor and common laryngeal symptoms were observed. These fi ndings were not expected and further studies of this phenomena would be use ful.