(A717) Effect of vaping on laryngoscopic findings in patients with dysphonia

Introduction: Vaping is emerging as an alternative to smoking, but its impact on laryngeal health remains unclear. This study examines laryngoscopic findings in active vapers with dysphonia to explore potential vaping-related laryngeal pathology.

Methods: This retrospective chart review analyzed adults with dysphonia at a single voice clinic between October 1, 2022, and June 1, 2024, identifying 20 patients who currently vape and do not smoke. Data included demographics, medical history, Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) scores, and laryngeal stroboscopy results, comparing them with two age/sex-matched cohorts of those who smoke cigarettes and non-smokers/non-vapers, with each group comprising 18 patients. Statistical analysis involved one-way ANOVAs and Chi-squares (α=0.05).

Results: Those who vape had a median age of 56.5 years and were mostly female (85%), and they had similar VHI-10 scores to other groups (p=0.660). No significant difference was found in the overall distribution of laryngeal lesions (p=0.0672); however, those who vape had significantly different distribution of laryngeal lesions from non-smokers/non-vapers (p=0.037). Notably patients who vape had higher incidence of malignancy (30% versus 11.1%) and polypoid corditis (30% versus 16.7%) and lesser incidence of vocal cord paralysis (0% versus 27.8%). No significant difference was noted between patients who vape and patients who use cigarettes (p=0.287). While not significant, among vaping patients, malignancy was diagnosed more in those with smoking history (33%) and notably in 1 (20%) patient with no smoking history (p=0.573). Polypoid corditis was more prevalent in those with smoking history (33.3%) than without (20%) (p=0.573).

Conclusions: Active vapers with dysphonia show significantly different laryngeal pathologies compared to non-smokers/non-vapers, with no significant differences from smokers, suggesting that vaping may not mitigate smoking-related laryngeal risks and might exacerbate damage, underscoring the need of routine laryngoscopic assessments and further research into vaping's long-term effects on laryngeal health.