Monitoring Adult Subglottic Stenosis With Spirometry and Dyspnea Index: A Novel Approach

Abstract

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. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Method: 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