ABSTRACT
What is the association between vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and nonallergic rhinitis?
There are many patients who present with severe asthma that is not responsive to optimum asthma therapy. Such patients are typically evaluated for noncompliance, steroid resistance, complications of asthma such as Churg Strauss or allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, or evidence of suboptimal control of rhinosinusitis and GERD. More recently, it has been recognized that many patients with difficult-to-control asthma have paradoxical movement of their vocal folds that may mimic symptoms of asthma. The common conditions of GERD and chronic rhinosinusitis, which are known to complicate asthma control, are also major causes for VCD. VCD may mimic or complicate asthma. Identifying this condition early and instituting appropriate therapy can significantly reduce iatrogenicinduced morbidity associated with overuse of systemic corticosteroids.
