RESUMO
this study was designed to determine the causes of hoarseness in a group of Iraqi patients and to document the influence of smoking and vocal abuse in the development of laryngeal pathologies. one hundred and sixteen patients presenting with hoarseness were evaluated at Al Zahrawi Teaching Hospital during the period from September 2000 to August 2001. there were 68 [58.6%] males and 48 [41.4%] females. The average age was 40 years. Cancer of the larynx was the most common cause of chronic hoarseness [38.8%], while acute laryngitis was the predominant diagnosis in acute hoarseness [64.5%]. Overall cancer of the larynx was the most frequent diagnosis being diagnosed in 33 [28.4%] of the patients. Smoking was found to be significantly related to the development of cancer of the larynx [p<0.001] and chronic laryngitis [p<0.05]. Vocal abuse had a significant relationship with the development of chronic laryngitis, vocal cord nodule, and Reink's edema. malignancy is an important cause of chronic hoarseness in Iraqi patients. Smoking is an important risk factor for malignancy. Smoking and vocal abuse are important risk factors in the development of hoarseness