The aetiology of chronic laryngitis.

Fifty-eight patients with chronic laryngitis, defined as diffuse laryngeal inflammation, of an average duration of approximately 1 year, were investigated. The sex incidence was equal and the average age 45 years. Occupational factors were of minor importance, and the smoking habits of the patients were the same as those of a similar matched population. Of the haematological factors investigated, anaemia, diabetes, renal disease and syphilis were of no importance whatsoever. The most important aetiological factor was sepsis of the upper and lower respiratory tracts which was present in over half the patients.