Prevalence of vocal tract discomfort in patients with voice disorders

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the prevalence of vocal tract discomfort in patients with voice disorders. Method: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan, from September 2020 to January 2021, and comprised voice disorder patients of either gender aged 18-65 years enrolled from Mayo Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Hospital and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. The Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale was used for data-collection. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 137 patients, 68(49.6%) were males and 69(50.4%) were females. The overall mean age was 36.36±12.47 years. The most affected age group was 18-33 years 70(51.1%) while those aged 50-65 years were the least affected 28(20.4%). The most common VTD symptom was dryness with mean frequency 3.48±1.97 and mean severity 3.36±1.99, followed by irritation 2.88±2.08 and 2.88±2.12, and lump in the throat 2.42±2.27 and 2.31±2.23, respectively. Conclusion: Dryness, irritation and a lump in the throat were the most common symptoms of vocal tract discomfort. Keywords: Dysphonia, Vocal tract discomfort, Voice disorders.

Prevalence of Dysphonia due to COVID-19 Infection

“…In our study, the most prevalent cause of dysphonia between studied patients was organic lesion (22.8%) followed by non-organic (functional) causes (15.5%). In agreement with our study; Nawaz et al (17) found that organic lesions were the most common condition (67.9%), followed by functional disorders (22.6%), and neurological and psychogenic illnesses were the least common.…”

Self-reported Vocal symptoms among speech language pathologists dealing with children with hearing impairment and cerebral palsy

“…This is in compliance with another local study which showed significant association of VTDS with gender as higher scores for females. 15 The present study did not reveal significant association of speciality being catered to with VTDS and VAPP; however, scores were higher for SLPs catering to cerebral palsy children. A study by Mozzanica F et al revealed more vocal load in SLPs treating clients with hearing impairment and phonation disorders compared to clients suffering from language disorders.…”

“…Another study also revealed that the most affected (70%) age group was 18-33 years. 15 The present study reported significant (p=0.008) association of experience with VAPP with highest scores between 1-5 years, while no significant association was noted with VTDS.…”

“…13 In contrast another local study revealed highest scores for dryness [3.36 ±1.99], followed by irritation and lump in throat in SLPs. 15 In the current study, the highest VAPP mean score was noted for Daily communication section [53.82 ±23.20], followed by Emotion Section and lowest for Self-Perceived Voice Problems. In a study, using VAPP, Faham et al reported significantly different results in dysphonia cases compared to healthy individuals; the group with dysphonia reported highest score for daily communication section, followed by emotion section, effect on social interaction and lowest for influence on job.…”