Kyung Hee Kim1, Rock Bum Kim2, Dong Uk Hwang3, Sung Jun Won3, Seung Hoon Woo4. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea; College of Nursing, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea. 2. Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, South Korea. 3. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea. 4. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea; Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea. Electronic address: lesaby@hanmail.net.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Studies on the prevalence of and the sociodemographic factors related to voice disorders are rare. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of voice disorders and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with an increased risk of voice disorder. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2011. Subjects consisted of 19 636 men and women aged ≥19 years. Sociodemographic factors including occupation, level of education, health status, and economic activity were assessed by means of individual interviews, and health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption and subjective voice problems were assessed with the use of self-administered questionnaires. Laryngology interviews and vocal fold examinations were also conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of voice disorders was 8.12% (n = 1594). Subjective perception of the presence of voice problems was significantly higher in individuals with vocal nodules and vocal polyps (27.7% and 23.0%, respectively; P < 0.001). Among sociodemographic factors and health behaviors, voice disorders were found to be associated with age, gender, education level, and health status (P < 0.05) but were not associated with occupation, household income, smoking, or alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this large epidemiologic study provide valuable information regarding the prevalence of voice disorders, and the specific data regarding sociodemographic factors and health behaviors suggest potential ways of targeting counseling and prevention efforts to control voice disorders.
OBJECTIVES: Studies on the prevalence of and the sociodemographic factors related to voice disorders are rare. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of voice disorders and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with an increased risk of voice disorder. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2011. Subjects consisted of 19 636 men and women aged ≥19 years. Sociodemographic factors including occupation, level of education, health status, and economic activity were assessed by means of individual interviews, and health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption and subjective voice problems were assessed with the use of self-administered questionnaires. Laryngology interviews and vocal fold examinations were also conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of voice disorders was 8.12% (n = 1594). Subjective perception of the presence of voice problems was significantly higher in individuals with vocal nodules and vocal polyps (27.7% and 23.0%, respectively; P < 0.001). Among sociodemographic factors and health behaviors, voice disorders were found to be associated with age, gender, education level, and health status (P < 0.05) but were not associated with occupation, household income, smoking, or alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this large epidemiologic study provide valuable information regarding the prevalence of voice disorders, and the specific data regarding sociodemographic factors and health behaviors suggest potential ways of targeting counseling and prevention efforts to control voice disorders.
Authors: Seong Jun Won; Rock Bum Kim; Jin Pyeong Kim; Jung Je Park; Min Su Kwon; Seung Hoon Woo Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2016-09 Impact factor: 1.889