Symptom Scoring for Predicting Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)

Dr. Russell Traister, et al, describes a symptom scoring system based on retrospective chart review to help identify subjects with VCD. Dr. Traister assigned the following symptom scores: dysphonia (2), throat tightness (4), sensitivity to odors (3) and absence of wheezing (2). Patients scoring 4 or more points have a positive predictive value of 96% and a negative predictive value of 77% for VCD. This prospective study will look at a population of patients presenting to a large tertiary care referral center for symptoms of cough. Patients seen at the "Cough Clinic" are evaluated by a Pulmonologist and an Otolaryngologist. Each patient undergoes pulmonary function testing and VLS testing as part of the diagnostic workup. For this study the history would be expanded to include the 4 specific symptoms: dysphonia, throat tightness, sensitivity to odors and absence of wheezing. The symptoms will be scored and compared against the results of diagnostic testing to determine if these symptoms help predict those with vocal cord dysfunction (VCD).