Sintomas e sinais laríngeos apresentados por participantes de projeto antitabagismo.

Abstract

Cigarettes have several components that act on the laryngeal epithelium, causing changes that are capable of evolving to characteristic laryngeal signs and symptoms, which may be related to the presence of laryngeal lesions from benign to malignant. According to the literature, the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer is evident, and laryngeal symptoms and signs are great allies. Thus, this research aimed to determine which laryngeal symptoms and signs are related to tobacco use, their prevalence within the study population and to associate smoking time and the presence of laryngeal symptoms and signs. This research consisted of a descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study in the population of the project “Multidisciplinary Smoking Treatment Program” of the University Hospital Alcides Carneiro (HUAC), and to be included, individuals should be smokers or former smokers, and of Project participants. The analysis was based on the results of the proper questionnaire, RASATI scale, physical examination and laryngoscopy. We included 32 individuals, of which 25 (78.1%) were female, with a mean age of 53.2 ± 14.5 years (31 - 80). Smoking time was mainly between 21 and 40 years, with a mean time of 37.6 years ± 15.6 (5 - 66). Regarding the packs/year, most remained with <26.7 packs/year 16/32 (50%) and the average of 42.3 packs/year ± 41.3 (4.6 - 162). The most reported symptoms were: throat clearing 25/32 (78.1%), followed by cough 18/32 (56.2%) and dysphonia 16/32 (50%). Among the 14/32 altered oroscopies (42.8%), most were 5/32 melanocytic spots (15.6%), and among the altered rhinoscopies, most were 13/32 septum deviations (40.6%). ). Regarding laryngoscopy, the most prevalent findings were: laryngitis 15/32 (46.9%), followed by Reinke's edema 8/32 (25%), nodule 4/32 (12.5%), leukoplakia 2/32 (6.3%) and vocal fold atrophy 2/32 (6.3%). In this study, there was no significant correlation between smoking time and the presence of laryngeal symptoms, but a statistically significant association was observed between laryngoscopic findings and smoking time. We conclude that the symptoms and signs in this study population were very prevalent and should always be questioned in smokers for early diagnosis and treatment.