OBJECTIVE: An accurate diagnosis and proper treatment plan are required to restore an adequate patent airway in fibrotic subglottic stenosis (SGS). Currently, the definitive treatment entails single-stage balloon dilatation with steroid injections. The primary aim was to evaluate successful airway restoration and general quality of life in cases with SGS in northern Sweden using robust patient reported outcomes.
METHODS: All participants with need of surgical treatment due to SGS that had been referred to the department of otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Umeå from September 2020 to August 2023 was included. Exclusion criteria included malignant, extrathoracic or cartilaginous cause, age < 18 years, or incompetent to sign consent documents. We assessed the patient-reported outcome measures pre- as well as 3 months postoperatively.
RESULTS: Of the 40 cases fulfilling the eligibility criteria\'s, 33 cases completed the Dyspnea index (DI) and the short form health survey (SF-36) pre- as well as 3 months post-operatively. Receiver operating characteristics showed significant improvement in DI as well as in SF 36 scores post-operatively.
CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of balloon dilatation in SGS in this cohort follow-up analysis shows clear improvement in patient quality of life using robust PROM 3 months postoperatively, ensuring the use of a safe and well-tolerated procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Subglottic stenosis, a rare condition of the upper airway, is frequently misdiagnosed as obstructive lung disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether subglottic stenosis could be identified and distinguished from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using spirometry or the dyspnea index (DI).
METHODS: The study population included 43 patients with asthma, 31 patients with COPD and 50 patients with subglottic stenosis planned to undergo endoscopic intervention. All patients completed the DI and underwent dynamic spirometry registering both inspiratory and expiratory volumes and flows, including the expiratory disproportion index (EDI), the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to peak expiratory flow. One-way analysis of variance assessed the discrepancy of the variables among the study groups, and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis determined the measurement with the best discriminatory power providing a cutoff value, maximizing both sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS: The only statistically significant variables differing between all three groups were the EDI and the DI. The EDI showed an excellent area under the ROC curve (0.99, p < 0.001) with a cutoff value of 0.39 (98% sensitivity, 96% specificity), followed by DI (0.87, p < 0.001) with a cutoff score of > 25 (83% sensitivity and 78% specificity).
CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dyspnea of unknown cause, an increase in EDI should arouse a suspicion of extrathoracic airway obstruction, advocating for further evaluation with laryngotracheoscopy.

UNASSIGNED: To describe treatment pathways and long-term outcomes in 64 patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS), including the impact of serial intralesional steroid injection (SILSI) on degree of stenosis, need for subsequent operation, and patient-reported outcome measures.
UNASSIGNED: Retrospective review of 64 female patients with iSGS undergoing varied management approaches, 57 of whom underwent SILSI as at least part of their care. Treatment pathways included SILSI only, endoscopic intervention followed by SILSI only, endoscopic interventions only, endoscopic intervention followed by SILSI followed by need for repeat endoscopic intervention, open surgery, and tracheotomy. Outcomes assessed included subjectively estimated percent airway stenosis, dyspnea index (DI), modified medical research council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10), number of operative and office-based procedures performed, need for subsequent operative intervention, and inter-operative interval.
UNASSIGNED: Treatment pathways included SILSI alone (n = 6), endoscopic intervention(s) followed by SILSI only (n = 31), SILSI followed by additional endoscopic or office-based procedures (n = 16), open surgery (n = 3), and tracheostomy (n = 4). 57 of 64 patients underwent SILSI as at least part of their treatment. Inter-operative interval was increased after starting SILSI. Of patients undergoing SILSI, those with more procedures or shorter inter-operative interval prior to SILSI were more likely to return to the operating room. Estimated stenosis, DI, MMRC, and VHI-10 decreased with SILSI. Stenosis was not correlated with DI, MMRC, or VHI-10, though DI was correlated with both MMRC and VHI-10 score.
UNASSIGNED: Of 57 patients undergoing SILSI, 37 did not require further operative intervention. Improvements in inter-operative interval, dyspnea, and voice were observed across patients. Randomized trials to identify which patients may benefit most from SILSI are warranted.

Objectives This study aimed to translate the Dyspnea Index (DI) questionnaire into the Arabic language and determine whether this version is valid and reliable for Arabic-speaking patients with upper airway-related dyspnea. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the King Saud University Medical City otolaryngology clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The DI questionnaire was translated into Arabic and then back-translated into the English language. Inclusion criteria were preoperative patients presenting to the otolaryngology clinic with upper airway-related dyspnea between November and December 2020. The results of internal consistency and factor analysis among the items were compared to the original DI development results to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. Results Among a total of 57 recruited patients, 50 questionnaires were completed with an 88% response rate. The mean age of the included patients was 38 ±14 years. Women constituted 58% of the patients. The most common diagnosis was subglottic stenosis (72%). Principle component extraction in factor analysis revealed a single underlying factor for all the questions. Factor loading ranged from 0.69 to 0.85. Reliability statistics showed a high value of internal consistency among the items. The mean inter-item correlation was 0.58. Conclusion Based on our findings, the Arabic version of the DI questionnaire is a reliable instrument for evaluating upper airway dyspnea.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the correlations among the anatomic Cotton-Myer classification, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and patient-perceived dyspnea or dysphonia in patients with subglottic stenosis and identify measurements accurately reflecting treatment effects.
METHODS: Prospective cohort study.
METHODS: Tertiary referral center.
METHODS: Fifty-two adults receiving endoscopic treatment for isolated subglottic stenosis were consecutively included. Correlations were calculated among the preoperative Cotton-Myer scale, PFTs, the Dyspnea Index (DI), and the Voice Handicap Index. Receiver operating characteristic curves were determined for PFT, DI, and Voice Handicap Index pre- and postoperative measurements.
RESULTS: The Cotton-Myer classification correlated weakly with peak expiratory flow (r = -0.35, P = .012), expiratory disproportion index (r = 0.32, P = .022), peak inspiratory flow (r = -0.32, P = .022), and total peak flow (r = -0.36, P = .01). The DI showed an excellent area under the curve (0.99, P < .001), and among PFTs, the expiratory disproportion index demonstrated the best area under the curve (0.89, P < .001), followed by total peak flow (0.88, P < .001), peak expiratory flow (0.87, P < .001), and peak inspiratory flow (0.84, P < .001). Patients treated endoscopically with balloon dilatation showed a 53% decrease in expiratory disproportion index (95% CI, 41%-66%; P < .001) and a 37% improvement in peak expiratory flow (95% CI, 31%-43%; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS: Expiratory disproportion index or peak expiratory flow combined with DI was a feasible measurement for the monitoring of adult subglottic stenosis. The percentage deterioration of peak expiratory flow and increase in expiratory disproportion index correlated significantly with a proportional percentage increase in DI.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis commonly report dysphonia and dysphagia. Dyspnea also occurs, with studies on treatment-related change producing mixed results. Studies including patient-reported outcomes have focused on single-question global scales. The Dyspnea Index (DI) includes 10 questions, is specific to upper airway-related dyspnea, and may better capture these patients\' symptoms. We evaluated change in DI after treatment.
METHODS: Retrospective review.
METHODS: Academic medical center.
METHODS: Forty-three patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis underwent injection augmentation (n = 25) or framework surgery (n = 18). DI was recorded preprocedure, 2 to 4 weeks afterward, and at approximately 3 months afterward in 19 patients. Voice Handicap Index-10, Glottal Function Index, Cough Severity Index, and Eating Assessment Tool-10 were also recorded. Change in parameters and correlations were assessed. Obesity, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, and procedure (injection vs framework surgery) were evaluated for effect on DI.
RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had an abnormal baseline DI (>10). DI decreased from 14.9 ± 13.8 to 6.5 ± 9.3 after treatment (P < .001; 95% CI, 4.7-12.1). Twenty-eight scores decreased, 9 remained unchanged, and 6 increased. Change in DI was influenced by the presence of cardiac disease. Decreased DI persisted at 3-month follow-up. Voice Handicap Index-10, Glottal Function Index, Cough Severity Index, and Eating Assessment Tool-10 scores decreased and were correlated with change in DI.
CONCLUSIONS: Upper airway-related dyspnea is common in unilateral vocal fold paralysis, occurring in half of this cohort. Correcting glottic insufficiency may alleviate symptoms. Treatment decision making should consider postprocedural change in dyspnea, especially in patients for whom dyspnea is a motivating factor for seeking treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Upper airway dyspnoea is a challenging condition in which assessing the discomfort experienced by the patient is essential. There are three patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments developed particularly for this patient group, none of which is available in Swedish. The aim of this study was to translate the Dyspnea Index (DI) into Swedish and validate the instrument for use in the Swedish-speaking population by investigating its basic psychometric properties.
METHODS: A prospective instrument validation study.
METHODS: Tertiary referral centre.
METHODS: Fifty-three (n = 53) patients with upper airway dyspnoea and 19 healthy controls.
METHODS: The questionnaire was translated into Swedish (swDI) with a forward-backward method. Reliability, repeatability, responsiveness and construct validity were assessed by asking the subjects to complete the swDI, a visual analog scale (VAS) at exertion and at rest and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).
RESULTS: The swDI showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach\'s α: 0.85) and repeatability (interclass correlation coefficient: 0.87 and Pearson\'s r: .89) in the patient group. No ceiling effect was observed (maximum score achieved was 39; 85% of the patients scored ≤ 36). SwDI scores moderately correlated with VAS at exertion (r: .59) and at rest (r: .42), yet poorly with the VHI (r: .36). The effect size (ES) was 3.8.
CONCLUSIONS: The swDI is a valid, robust and reliable questionnaire for self-assessment in Swedish-speaking patients with upper airway obstruction. A future anchor-based longitudinal study is needed to assess the smallest detectable change (SDC) and minimal important change (MIC) that were not estimated in our study.

OBJECTIVE: Office-based steroid injection has shown promise for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). It is important to understand safety and patient-lived experience. We report patient experience related to airway restriction, voice, and side effects.
METHODS: Sixteen patients (51 ± 14 years) with mild-moderate (20-50%) stenosis undergoing office-based transnasal steroid injections were included; fourteen had prior operations. Patients typically underwent three injections, 1 month apart, followed by transnasal tracheoscopy 1 month later to evaluate outcome; number of injections can vary based on disease severity and response. Outcomes were Dyspnea Index (DI), Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10), and degree of stenosis (estimated from procedural video). At each visit, patients were queried about post-injection airway restriction and side effects. Paired t-tests compared values at baseline versus follow-up tracheoscopy.
RESULTS: DI decreased (t = 3.938, P = 0.0013), as did MMRC (t = 2.179, P = 0.0457). There was no change in VHI-10 (t = 1.354; P = 0.1957) scores. Airway stenosis decreased (t = 4.331; P = 0.0006); this was not correlated with change in DI (r = 0.267, P = 0.318). Side effects included airway restriction lasting <48 hours (n = 5), cough (n = 3), and nasal pain (n = 2).
CONCLUSIONS: Steroid injections improved upper airway symptoms. Side effects were mild and transient. Improvement in DI did not correlate with percent stenosis.

We aimed to assess the role of spirometry measures and Dyspnea Index (DI) in response to treatment of subglottic stenosis (SGS) and ability to predict need for surgery. We also assessed correlations between spirometry measures, DI, and physical SGS parameters.
Thirty-seven adult female SGS patients were prospectively enrolled. Spirometry data and DI were obtained at serial clinic visits; physical SGS parameters were obtained intraoperatively. PIFR, PEFR, EDI, FEV1/FVC, and DI were compared preoperatively to postoperatively for patients who underwent operative intervention. Spirometry data, DI, and physical SGS parameters were analyzed for correlations, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created for spirometry measures and DI to determine optimal cutoffs for recommending surgery.
Means of all measured spirometry measures changed significantly from preoperative to postoperative visits (P < .05). Mean DIs changed significantly between preoperative (27.5, n = 13, SD = 8.6) and postoperative visits (8.6, n = 13, SD = 5.5, P < 5 × 10-5 ). All Pearson correlations were negligible to moderate. The area under the curve (AUC) for peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) was 0.903 (95% CI, 0.832-0.974) with cutoff at 2.10 L/s; the AUC for DI was 0.874 (95% CI, 0.791-0.956) with cutoff between 22-25; the AUC for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was 0.806 (95% CI, 0.702-0.910) with cutoff at 2.5 L/s; all other ROC curves were less than good.
PIFR, PEFR, EDI, FEV1/FVC, and DIs significantly improve after treatment for SGS. No strong correlations exist between spirometry measures, DI, and physical SGS parameters. PIFR was the most sensitive and specific for predicting timing of operative intervention in our cohort.
1b Laryngoscope, 2019.

In cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, drug therapy may improve survival and the drug of choice is the one that interferes least with health-related well-being, otherwise known as the quality of life. However, in angina, and possibly congestive heart failure, a drug may improve well-being but not survival. In this instance, the measurement of the quality of life is the endpoint in any therapeutic intervention. When selecting dimensions of quality of life and the methods to measure these dimensions, the key issue is the detection of a response to treatment during the trial. The sensitivity of a variety of methods appropriate to hypertension, angina, and congestive heart failure are considered. Overall, the quality of life should be assessed by double-blind, randomized, controlled trials, with a health index included to take account of any mortality and morbidity that occurs during the trial. Validity and repeatability of measures are most important, both within populations and across cultures. Observer bias must be avoided.