Prevalence of vocal tract discomfort in patients with voice disorders

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.3999

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.

Author Biographies

Saffa Nawaz, Department of Speech Language Pathology, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Saffa Nawaz , MS (SLP)

Speech Language Pathologist,

Department of Speech Language Pathology,

 Riphah International University, Islamabad

Nameeka Shahid, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

Nameeka Shahid, MS (SLP)

            Assistant Professor & In charge MS-SLP

            Faculty of Rehab & Allied Health Sciences,

            Riphah International University, Lahore

Nazia Mumtaz, Department of Speech Language Pathology, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

Dr. Nazia Mumtaz, PhD (Rehabilitation Sciences)

            Head of Department of Speech Language Pathology,

            Faculty of Rehab & Allied Health Sciences,

            Riphah International University, Lahore

Ghulam Saqulain , Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cochlear Implant, Capital Hospital PGMI, Islamabad, Pakistan

Dr. Ghulam Saqulain, DLO, FCPS (Otolaryngology)

Head of Department and Assoc. Professor, Department of Otolaryngology & Auditory Implant Centre

Capital Hospital PGMI, Islamabad

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Published

2022-02-10

How to Cite

Nawaz, S., Shahid, N., Mumtaz, N., & Saqulain , G. . (2022). Prevalence of vocal tract discomfort in patients with voice disorders. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(8), 1547–1554. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.3999

Issue

Vol. 72 No. 8 (2022): AUGUST

Section

Research Article

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