CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPEECH AND HEARING ORGANS OF THE PATIENTS HAVING THE STABLE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

The affection of the upper respiratory tract (ear, nose, throat - ENT) is the earliest and most frequent secondary diseases of the obstructive lung disease known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic obstructive lung disease or chronic obstructive airway disease. The above-mentioned combination of the diseases significantly reduces the patients' life quality, results in COPD exacerbation making it necessary to reconsider the treatment program. Methods. The examination of 49 smoking patients aged 51-65 having the stable clinical course of COPD from 2 to 3 grades. The control group was formed of 50 nonsmoking healthy volunteers. Studies by means of otomicroscopy, otoendoskopy, audiologic examination and fibro endoscopic evaluation of larynx, stroboscopy. Results. Indicators of aerated blood ventilation in the group under study and C group were within normal limits. COPD led to the most significant changes in the larynx: chronic catarrhal laryngitis (23 cases), chronic hyperplastic laryngitis (6 cases) and Reinke edema (6 cases). Significant dysfunctions of the auditory organs were absent. Conclusions. The damaging effect of tobacco smoke and its components dissolved in saliva stands out against the other reasons of the functional (incl. phonatoric) imparity of larynx in the time of stabilization of COPD. Taking into account the findings we can recommend adding to the Medical Examination Report of COPD patients an otolaryngologist's advice as its medical comment enables to complement the treatment program.