Psychological Burden in Subglottic Stenosis: The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety

Introduction: Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is a rare, recurring fibroinflammatory disease that causes upper airway narrowing and severe dyspnea. Patients often require multiple surgeries due to chronic restenosis. The unpredictable nature of SGS may significantly affect psychological well-being. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in SGS patients and identify associated risk factors. Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients diagnosed with SGS at a tertiary care center from 2012 to 2022. Data collected included demographics, SGS etiology, number/type of surgeries, tracheostomy history, pulmonary function tests, medications, and psychiatric history. Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square, and ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Results: Of 246 patients (mean age 54, body mass index [BMI] 32 8.7), 16% had a clinical diagnosis of depression, and 49% reported a history of anxiety or depression. Patients with psychiatric comorbidities were older (57.7 vs 52.1 years, p