gms | German Medical Science

The aim of the study was to analyze and quantify voice characteristics of reflux laryngitis (RL) patients, to determine voice tests and voice-quality parameters of the most importance in the functional diagnostics of RL.

Methods: Voices of 108 RL patients and 90 healthy persons of control group were evaluated. Vocal function was assessed using a set of video laryngostroboscopic, perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic and subjective voice quality measurements according to the protocol elaborated by the Committee on Phoniatrics of the ELS.

Results: The mean values of hoarseness (VAS assessment) and VHI were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the group of RL patients comparing to the controls. Objective voice assessment revealed a significant increase of the mean values of jitter, shimmer and normalized noise energy (NNE) along with a significant decrease of the pitch range, maximum frequency, phonetogram area (S) and maximum phonation time (MPT) in RL patients, both in male and female subgroups. According to the results of discriminant analysis, NNE, MPT, S and intensity range were determined as an optimum set for functional diagnostics of RL.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that perceptual and subjective evaluation as well as objective measures of voice parameters document a deteriorated voice quality caused by RL. Deteriorated phonation pattern and voice-related problems lead to negative impact on patient’s everyday life and professional activities, as reflected by significantly increased values of VHI. Treatment of RL patients along with special medication and life style modifications should involve care of the patient’s voice. Consequently, assessment of the results of the treatment of RL patients should include monitoring of voice quality and VHI.