Francesco Mozzanica1, Daniela Ginocchio2, Rosaria Barillari3, Stefania Barozzi2, Patrizia Maruzzi4, Francesco Ottaviani5, Antonio Schindler4. 1. Phoniatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.schindler@unimi.it. 2. Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Audiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS "ca' Granda", Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 3. Phoniatric Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. 4. Phoniatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 5. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, San Giuseppe Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of voice disorders in a large group of patients seeking voice therapy. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective prevalence study. METHODS: A total of 821 patients were enrolled. Each patient was evaluated following a multidimensional protocol including videolaryngostroboscopy, perception, acoustics, aerodynamics, and self-rating by the patient. Data regarding age, gender, tobacco use, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and professional voice use were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Based on videolaryngoscopic findings, the sample group was divided into patients with functional dysphonia (n = 155), patients with organic dysphonia (n = 359), and patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders (n = 307). The most frequently detected pathologies were vocal fold paralysis, muscle tension dysphonia, and vocal fold edema. Children (n = 41) and adolescents (n = 43) represented a minority of the sample group. Dysphonia was significantly more common in women. Organic dysphonia was more common in children and adolescents. GERD was suspected in 382 patients and confirmed in 83 of them; 164 patients were smokers. Professional voice users composed the large majority of the working population and were more frequently affected by organic dysphonia. Patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders presented a worse voice quality and voice-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: In patients seeking voice therapy, there are more females than males, children and adolescents represent a minority of the sample, professional voice users more commonly present organic dysphonia, and patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders show significantly worse voice quality. Copyright Â
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of voice disorders in a large group of patients seeking voice therapy. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective prevalence study. METHODS: A total of 821 patients were enrolled. Each patient was evaluated following a multidimensional protocol including videolaryngostroboscopy, perception, acoustics, aerodynamics, and self-rating by the patient. Data regarding age, gender, tobacco use, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and professional voice use were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Based on videolaryngoscopic findings, the sample group was divided into patients with functional dysphonia (n = 155), patients with organic dysphonia (n = 359), and patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders (n = 307). The most frequently detected pathologies were vocal fold paralysis, muscle tension dysphonia, and vocal fold edema. Children (n = 41) and adolescents (n = 43) represented a minority of the sample group. Dysphonia was significantly more common in women. Organic dysphonia was more common in children and adolescents. GERD was suspected in 382 patients and confirmed in 83 of them; 164 patients were smokers. Professional voice users composed the large majority of the working population and were more frequently affected by organic dysphonia. Patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders presented a worse voice quality and voice-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: In patients seeking voice therapy, there are more females than males, children and adolescents represent a minority of the sample, professional voice users more commonly present organic dysphonia, and patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders show significantly worse voice quality. Copyright Â