BACKGROUND In India and other developing countries the prevailing lower economic status, poor nutrition, poor general health of the population, different food habits, vocal habits, smoking and drinking habits, unhealthy environment and different social customs definitely influence the incidence of hoarseness. As the aetiology of hoarseness is diverse and aetiological causes varies from country to country and centre to centre, the need for a study was felt to determine the aetiological

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... on of the cause of hoarseness and the clinical profile of patients attending outpatient department of ENT, T. D. Medical College, Alappuzha. The aim of this study is to study the various causes of hoarseness of voice; to study the associated clinical features; to study various treatment modalities and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS 100 patients attending the Department of ENT Outpatient Department with hoarseness of voice were registered and their demographic details and symptoms and signs were recorded and analysed. The different aetiological and pathological features were analysed. RESULTS Malignant lesions were more common in patients who had a history of smoking. Of the total thirty eight cases (38) that had a history of smoking, 26 (68.42%) developed malignancy; nineteen cases were diagnosed to have malignancy of larynx (19 -50%) and seven cases developed malignancy of Hypopharynx (07 -18.42%) and the remaining patients showed benign lesions (12 -31.57%). Of the total sixty two cases belonging to the non-smoking group, benign lesions were more common contributing 41 patients (35 -56.45%); 16 cases of the non-smoking group did not need a biopsy during the study period. Malignant lesions of the larynx and Hypopharynx were seen in eleven cases (17.74%). CONCLUSION Hoarseness usually affects older age groups. Males are more commonly affected than females. Manual labourers constitute the main occupational group of hoarse patients. Malignant lesions are more common in hoarse patients who have a history of smoking or alcoholism. Benign lesions are more common in patients with history of voice abuse.