Evidence for adverse phonatory change following an inhaled combination treatment.

Purpose: Voice problems are reported as a frequent side effect of inhaled combination (IC) treatments. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether IC treatments are detrimental to phonation. We hypothesized that IC treatment would significantly increase phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and perceived phonatory effort (PPE), whereas sham treatment would not.

Method: Fourteen healthy adults participated in a repeated-measures design in which they received IC and sham treatments in counterbalanced order. PTP and PPE were measured prior to treatments, immediately following treatments, and at 1 and 2 hr following treatments.

Results: IC treatment increased PTP, but sham treatment did not. The increase in PTP was maintained for a 2 hr period following administration. PPE ratings were not significantly correlated with PTP.

Conclusions: IC treatments can have acute, adverse effects on phonation. Detrimental phonatory effects were elicited in participants with no self-reported voice problems. IC treatments are being increasingly prescribed across the lifespan. The current data increase our understanding of the nature of phonatory deterioration associated with IC treatment and lay the groundwork for increased research effort to develop IC treatments that effectively control respiratory disease while minimizing an adverse effect on phonation.