Prevalence of laryngeal disease in South Korea: data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2011.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Benign Vocal Fold Lesion (polyp, cysts, nodules) and Leukoplakia in Korea.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
The data from the 2008 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which were cross-sectional survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of South Korea. A survey team that included an otolaryngology residents, nurses, and interviewers moved with a mobile examination unit and performed laryngologic interviews and examinations of vocal folds using rigid telescopic laryngoscopy on survey participants over 19 years old (n=19636).


RESULTS
Laryngoscopic examination revealed normal results in 19251 (98.04%) of those included in the survey. Abnormal laryngoscopic findings were observed in 1.96% of the population examined, and vocal cord nodules were the most common abnormal finding. The prevalence of vocal cord nodules was 0.99-1.72%, the prevalence of vocal cord polyps was 0.31-0.55%, the prevalence of vocal cysts was 0.04-0.17%, and the prevalence of vocal cord leukoplakia was 0.07-0.21%. There was no significant correlation of linear trend of prevalence by year, and there were no significant differences in prevalence between males and females.


CONCLUSION
This is the first nationwide epidemiologic study to assess the prevalence of Benign Vocal Fold Lesion (polyp, cysts, nodules) and Leukoplakia by both the Korean Otolaryngologic Society and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The results of this large epidemiologic study provide valuable information regarding the prevalence of voice disorders and the management of laryngologic diseases.
['Woo|Seung Hoon|SH|', 'Kim|Rock Bum|RB|', 'Choi|Seung-Ho|SH|', 'Lee|Seung Won|SW|', 'Won|Sung Jun|SJ|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003560:Cysts D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007818:Laryngeal Diseases D007828:Laryngoscopy D007971:Leukoplakia D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009749:Nutrition Surveys D011127:Polyps D056910:Republic of Korea D014827:Vocal Cords D055815:Young Adult
Prevalence laryngeal diseases epidemiology voice disorders risks