Vocal tract symptoms: Severity and frequency in patients on statins.

The objective of the study was to analyze the frequency and severity of vocal tract symptoms in patients on statins. A total of 73 patients were enrolled in this study, 44 patients who were taking statins and 29 controls not taking statins. The severity and frequency of vocal tract discomfort was assessed using the Vocal Tract Discomfort scale.

Clinical application of nasometry in patients with nasal obstruction.

The purpose of this case-control study is to report on the clinical application of nasometry as a diagnostic tool in patients with the symptom of nasal obstruction compared with subjects with no history of nasal obstruction. Thirty-eight adult patients (mean age: 28.1 years) complaining of nasal obstruction were enrolled in the study, and another group of 38 adults (mean age: 25.

Vocal Symptoms and Acoustic Findings in Menopausal Women in Comparison to Pre-menopause Women with Body Mass Index as a Confounding Variable.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of phonatory symptoms in menopausal women compared to pre-menopause women with body mass index (BMI) as a confounding variable.

Methods: A total of 69 women, 34 menopausal and 35 pre-menopausal were invited to participate in this study. Demographic variables included age, smoking, and BMI.

Effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy on Voice.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hormonal therapy (HRT) on voice in a group of menopausal women, taking into consideration body mass index (BMI) as a confounding factor and its potential role as a substitute for HRT.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 53 menopausal women, 34 not on HRT and 19 on HRT, were recruited. Demographic variables included age, gender, smoking, and BMI.

Effect of vitamin D deficiency on the laryngo-pharyngeal tract.

Objective: To investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the laryngopharyngeal tract.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Effect of renal failure on voice.

The objective of this case-control study was to assess the impact of dysphonia on quality of life and to report the perceptual and acoustic findings in patients with chronic renal failure. A total of 22 patients with chronic renal failure and 18 healthy controls were recruited. Patients were asked to complete the Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10 to assess the impact of dysphonia on quality of life.

Association Between Facial Length and Width and Fundamental Frequency.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between facial width and length and fundamental frequency (F0) and habitual frequency.

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Subjects: A total of 50 subjects (35 females;15 males) were included in this study.

Laryngopharyngeal symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to report on the prevalence and severity of laryngopharyngeal symptoms in patients with COPD compared to controls. A total of 27 patients with COPD and 13 controls matched according to age and gender were included. Demographic data included age, gender, history of smoking and history of allergic rhinitis.

Formants frequency and dispersion in relation to the length and projection of the upper and lower jaws.

Objective: Investigate the association between formants frequencies and length and sagittal projection of the maxilla and mandible.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Method: A total of 47 consecutive patients were recruited.

Correlation between the length and sagittal projection of the upper and lower jaw and the fundamental frequency.

Objective: To report on the correlation between the length and projection of the upper and lower jaw and the fundamental frequency (F0).

Study Design: Prospective study.

Materials And Methods: A total of 45 healthy subjects were included in this study.

Laryngeal manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive autoimmune disease that affects 3% of the adult population. It is characterized by the formation of both articular and extra-articular lesions with predilection for small joints. There are ubiquitous reports on the head and neck manifestations of RA with emphasis on the larynx.

Correlation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms with homocysteine metabolism in healthy Lebanese adults.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with several vascular and teratogenic conditions. Determinants of total homocysteine concentrations include genetic and nutritional factors. This study assesses the relation between homocysteine concentrations and MTHFR gene polymorphisms at two common alleles (C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131)) as well as other predictors of homocysteine (folate, vitamin B(12), body mass index (BMI), age, and gender) in a group of healthy Lebanese: 109 males and 124 females aged 17-55years.

Comparison of neutrophil volume distribution width to C-reactive protein and procalcitonin as a proposed new marker of acute infection.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the use of neutrophil distribution width (NDW) and to compare it to C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), in the detection of early sepsis in the intensive care unit.

Methods: Subjects (N = 166) were divided into 4 groups: healthy, acute inflammatory non-infectious (AINI), localized infection, and systemic infection, according to clinical history and cultures. NDW, CRP, and PCT were compared among the different groups using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

The use of a reverse hybridization strip assay for the study of hemochromatosis-associated gene mutations in Lebanon.

Aims: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) is the most commonly identified autosomal recessive genetic disorder in the Caucasian population and HFE gene mutations are highly concentrated among European populations. This is the first study that screens for HHC-related gene mutations in a healthy Lebanese sample population.

Methods: Using the reverse hybridization Hemochromatosis StripAssay A from ViennaLab, the DNA extracted from a total of 116 healthy volunteers (59 males and 57 females) was analyzed, looking for 18 different mutations in the HFE, ferroportin, and transferrin genes.

Should we screen for hereditary hemochromatosis in healthy Lebanese: a pilot study.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) is a genetic disorder of iron metabolism characterized by abnormal accumulation of iron that may lead to organ damage and death. Diagnosis is usually based on various genetic and phenotypic criteria. The study goals were to perform mutation analysis for 18 different mutations associated with HHC in healthy Lebanese, determine their allele frequency, and compare iron-overload status in identified carriers versus those found to be wild-type for mutations analyzed.