Epidemiology

The incidence and prevalence of paradoxical vocal fold motion (intermittent laryngeal obstruction) (PVFM/ILO) have not been well established in the general population. A 2.8% prevalence of PVFM/ILO has been found in those referred for evaluation of dyspnea.[19] In large literature reviews, of those reporting paradoxical vocal cord movement dysfunction, 70% to 74% were adult and 26% children, the age range was infancy to 82 years.[20][21]​​​​ Several studies describe the incidence of PVFM/ILO in subpopulations. Studies have reported prevalence rates of exercise-induced ILO in the adolescent population ranging from 5% to 8%, and as high as 35% among athletes.[22][23][24]​​​ PVFM/ILO-positive findings have been reported in up to 15% of active military-duty adults with exercise-induced asthma symptoms and 5.1% of elite athletes.[25][26]​​ The condition has been documented to coexist with asthma in up to 50% of cases and with breathing difficulty in 10% of cases.[27][28]​​​​[29][30]

In general, there is a higher female preponderance, with reviews suggesting a female-to-male ratio ranging from 2:1 to 3:1.[19][20][21][27]​​​[31][32][33][34]​​​​​​​ 

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