Multidimensional voice analysis of reflux laryngitis patients

Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitor on the Outcome of Laryngeal Microsurgery in Patients With Vocal Fold Mucosal Disease With Reflux Symptoms

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) after laryngeal microsurgery (LMS) in patients with benign vocal fold (VF) mucosal disease and in patients with overt reflux symptom according to subjective and objective voice assessment.

METHODS

The improvement of voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) score, reflux symptom index (RSI) score, grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) score, Jitter, Shimmer, noise to harmonics ratio (NHR), maximum phonation time of acoustic voice analysis RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (PPI group [n = 24] and non-PPI group [n = 23]) completed the study. The scores for VHI-10, RSI, GRBAS, and acoustic parameters significantly improved in both groups after surgery. In the subgroup analysis of patients with overt reflux symptoms (RSI ≥ 13; non-PPI group [n = 12], PPI group [n = 15]), significant between-group differences were observed in terms of the improvement in NHR and the strain factor.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative PPI administration in patients with VF benign mucosal disease with reflux symptoms might improve subjective and objective voice outcomes after LMS.

Role of Voice Handicap Index in Evaluation of Patients with Moderate to Severe Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background

Our ability to hear and speak enables us to communicate with others, forming an integral part of our emotional and social well-being. Vocal problems in hearing-impaired patients have yet to be assessed in terms of subjective level of disability they cause. Present study aims to assess the different Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores among patients with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and compare them to those with normal hearing.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective case control study(n = 150), study group A (n = 100) consisted of subjects with bilateral moderate to profound hearing loss on Pure tone audiometry and control group B (n = 50) with normal hearing. Both groups were asked to fill out VHI form after a normal videostroboscopic assessment.

Results

Mean VHI score in group A was 57.5 ± 12.48 and 6.0 ± 3.24 in group B, difference being statistically significant. A strong positive correlation was found between severity of hearing loss and VHI total score. The difference between both groups was also statistically significant for each of the three subscales of VHI.

Conclusion

We infer that subjects with moderate and higher bilateral sensorineural hearing loss hearing have statistically significant higher VHI scores as compared to those with normal hearing. It was observed that perception of voice handicap increased with the severity of hearing loss. These findings emphasize the need for multilateral assessment and treatment of voice disorders in subjects with hearing loss.

Ultrasonic vocalization phenotypes in the Ts65Dn and Dp(16)1Yey mouse models of Down syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is a developmental disorder associated with a high incidence of challenges in vocal communication. DS can involve medical co-morbidities and structural social factors that may impact communication outcomes, which can present difficulties for the study of vocal communication challenges. Mouse models of DS may be used to study vocal communication differences associated with this syndrome and allow for greater control and consistency of environmental factors. Prior work has demonstrated differences in ultrasonic vocalization (USV) of the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS at a young adult age, however it is not known how USV characteristics are manifested at mature ages. Given that the aging process and age-related co-morbidities may also impact communication in DS, addressing this gap in knowledge may be of value for efforts to understand communication difficulties in DS across the lifespan. The current study hypothesized that the Ts65Dn and Dp(16)1Yey mouse models of DS would demonstrate differences in multiple measures of USV communication at a mature adult age of 5 months.

METHODS

Ts65Dn mice (n = 16) and euploid controls (n = 19), as well as Dp(16)1Yey mice (n = 20) and wild-type controls (n = 22), were evaluated at 5 months of age for USV production using a mating paradigm. Video footage of USV sessions were analyzed to quantify social behaviors of male mice during USV testing sessions. USV recordings were analyzed using Deepsqueak software to identify 10 vocalization types, which were quantified for 11 acoustic measures.

RESULTS

Ts65Dn, but not Dp(16)1Yey, showed significantly lower proportions of USVs classified as Step Up, Short, and Frequency Steps, and significantly higher proportions of USVs classified as Inverted U, than euploid controls. Both Ts65Dn and Dp(16)1Yey groups had significantly greater values for power and tonality for USVs than respective control groups. While Ts65Dn showed lower frequencies than controls, Dp(16)1Yey showed higher frequencies than controls. Finally, Ts65Dn showed reductions in a measure of complexity for some call types. No significant differences between genotype groups were identified in analysis of behaviors during testing sessions.

CONCLUSION

While both Ts65Dn and Dp(16)1Yey show significant differences in USV measures at 5 months of age, of the two models, Ts65Dn shows a relatively greater numbers of differences. Characterization of communication phenotypes in mouse models of DS may be helpful in laying the foundation for future translational advances in the area of communication difficulties associated with DS.

Association between Laryngeal Pepsin Levels and the Presence of Vocal Fold Polyps

Objective

To determine whether pepsin, the main component of refluxed gastric contents, is significantly associated with vocal fold polyps and to evaluate the diagnostic value of pepsin in vocal fold polyps’ tissues.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University.

Subjects and Methods

The study included 32 patients with vocal fold polyps and 16 healthy controls between 2011 and 2012. Reflux symptom index and reflux finding score assessments, 24-hour combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring, and biopsy of the vocal fold polyp tissues or posterior laryngeal mucosa (healthy controls) for immunohistochemical pepsin staining were performed.

Results

The expression of pepsin was significantly higher in patients with vocal fold polyps than in controls (28/32, 75% vs 5/16, 31.25%; P < .001). The pepsin levels were significantly positively correlated with upright position pharyngeal acid reflux and esophageal reflux parameters adjusted by age. Based on pepsin staining data, the sensitivity and negative predictive values of 24-hour pH monitoring, the reflux symptom index, and the reflux finding score were 70% to 84.62%, whereas their specificity and positive predictive values were relatively low (20%-31.58%).

Conclusion

Pepsin reflux may be a risk factor for vocal fold polyps formation. In addition, pepsin immunohistochemical analysis of polyp biopsy samples appears to be a more sensitive and effective test for diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux than the reflux symptom index, the reflux finding score, and 24-hour pH monitoring in a clinical setting.

Quality-of-Life Impact of Non-Neoplastic Voice Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

Objectives:

We undertook to explore the relationship between non-neoplastic voice disorders and patients' quality of life.

Methods:

A PubMed search (1966 to 2003) for the terms Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), voice disorders, voice quality, treatment outcome, voice outcome, quality of life, and questionnaires was performed. Raw data were obtained whenever possible. Studies were analyzed by meta-analysis techniques.

Results:

Of 54 VHI studies identified, 11 were excluded, and of 21 SF-36 studies, 7 were excluded for incomplete data, non-English language, measuring malignant disease, or duplicate publication. Patients with neurologic and inflammatory or traumatic laryngeal disease had worse VHI scores than controls, and those with neurologic laryngeal disease had the most severe impairment (p <.001, Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance; p <.05, Dunn's method of multiple comparisons). Those with neurologic laryngeal disease had worse SF-36 subdomain scores than did controls in 6 of 8 subdomains (p <.03, Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance; p <.05, Dunn's method of multiple comparisons). Both patients with neurologic disease and patients with inflammatory or traumatic laryngeal disorders had changes in SF-36 subdomains similar to those of patients with other chronic disease states.

Conclusions:

Non-neoplastic voice disorders adversely impact patients' voice-related and general quality of life, and neurologic voice disorders have the greatest impact.

WITHDRAWN: Acid reflux treatment for hoarseness

Review withdrawn from Issue 4, 2015 as it is out of date.

The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.

Voice problems among laryngopharyngeal reflux patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal pH monitoring

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is a lack of consensus regarding the clinical presentation and diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). The aim of this study was to explore voice-related abnormalities in a group of LPR patients, diagnosed with a 24-hour oropharyngeal pH monitoring.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-two patients with voice-related problems participated in the study. Diagnosis of LPR was made using a 24-hour oropharyngeal pH monitoring. Patients were divided accordingly into positive and negative pH groups. Comparisons between the two groups were done, including results of clinical presentation, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), reflux symptom index (RSI), reflux finding score (RFS), and acoustic measurements. The correlation was conducted between Ryan scores and other variables including VHI-10, RSI, and RFS.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between the two groups for RSI and VHI-10. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding clinical presentation, RFS or acoustic measures. Significant positive correlations were found between the Ryan composite measurements and both severity ratings (VHI-10, RSI).

CONCLUSION

LPR clinical presentation appears to be non-specific in terms of symptoms and laryngeal findings. LPR appears to have an effect on the patients' self-perception of voice problems. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of LPR on acoustic measurements.

Effects of omeprazole over voice quality in muscle tension dysphonia patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux

Backround

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is the backflow of stomach contents above upper esophageal sphincter, into the pharynx, larynx, and upper aerodigestive system.

Objectives

In this study, effects of omeprazole over voice quality in muscle tension dysphonia with laryngopharyngeal reflux was ınvestigated.

Patients and Methods

Nine patients, 7 males and 2 females, aged between 27-43 (mean age:31) were included to this study. The diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia with LPR was established by video laryngoscopy, rigid scope 70º. The laryngeal changes related with LPR were evaluated according to Reflux Finding Score. The patients received omeprazole 20 mg twice a day for a period of 6 months. None of the patients received voice therapy. Vocal hygiene guidelines were also explained to the patients. Objective and subjective voice parameters (Jitter, shimmer, NHR, Voice Handicap Index, and Auditive analysis; Roughness, breathiness, and hoarseness) were evaluated in this study.

Results

After treatment with omeprazol, all the parameters showed an improvement in voice quality, but only VHI (P = 0) and shimmer (P = 0,018) are statistically significant.

Conclusions

For FD patients with LPR condition, we highly recommend that LPR treatment should be part of the treatment plan.

Características da fonetografia em indivíduos com equilíbrio dentofacial pós-muda vocal

OBJETIVO: caracterizar, por meio de fonetografia, o perfil da extensão vocal em indivíduos sem alterações pós-muda vocal e equilíbrio dentofacial. MÉTODO: participaram deste estudo 15 homens com idades entre 14 e 35 anos com pós-muda vocal. Eles responderam a um questionário específico, e também foram submetidos a uma avaliação antropométrica da face, a avaliação dento-oclusal, o exame fonetografia e também a uma análise da frequência fundamental habitual da voz. RESULTADOS: frequência fundamental mínima: 89Hz ± 3Hz ou 29st ±14st; Frequência fundamental máxima: 665Hz±179Hz ou 63st±5st; Extensão Vocal: 34st±6st; Intensidade mínima: 66 dB ± 3dB; Intensidade máxima: 114dB ± 5dB; Extensão Dinâmica Máxima: 42dB ± 4dB, Área do Fonetograma: 936,4 dB.st ± 258,8 dB.st ou 42,1 cm² ± 11,6 cm²; Frequência Fundamental Habitual para a vogal "a": 111,26 Hz ± 15,24 Hz. CONCLUSÃO: apesar de os estudos nacionais e internacionais apresentados neste trabalho não considerarem a condição dentofacial dos indivíduos, os resultados foram semelhantes.

Combination of voice therapy and antireflux therapy rapidly recovers voice-related symptoms in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients

OBJECTIVE

Patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux frequently experience voice-related symptoms. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of combined voice and medical therapy in comparison with medical therapy alone in the improvement of voice-related symptoms and parameters in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux.

STUDY DESIGN

Concurrent nonrandomized comparative trial.

SETTING

Otolaryngology department at a university hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 100 patients diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux with voice symptoms were divided into 2 groups: 50 patients were treated with medication alone, and 50 were treated with medication plus voice therapy. The following data were recorded before treatment and at 1, 2, and 3 months posttreatment: reflux symptom index (RSI), reflux finding score (RFS), voice handicap index (VHI), perceptual analysis, and acoustic analysis. The numbers of patients showing clinically significant reductions in these parameters were compared between groups using the following cutoff values: change in RSI ≥5, change in RFS ≥3, change in VHI ≥15, and change in grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain scale (GRBAS) ≥1.

RESULTS

Significantly more patients in the study group showed a clinically significant change in RSI, VHI, and GRBAS score at the 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up evaluations. No clinically significant change in RFS was achieved in either group at 1 or 2 months, but a significantly greater change was achieved in the study group at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Voice therapy may help to restore reversible mucosal change secondary to acidic reflux, inducing rapid resolution of symptoms and shortening of the treatment period.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux : Larynx on Fire

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is a commonly occurring and recently described clinical entity due to the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the pharynx. It accounts for many symptoms of upper airway including hoarseness, chronic throat irritation and globus sensation. The sensitive laryngeal mucosa is prone to damage by the combination of acid and pepsin. The inflammatory changes that follow are presumed to cause the symptoms and predispose the individual to laryngeal disorders. Diagnosis can usually be made clinically based on symptoms and laryngeal signs but a 24 hour pH metry is essential to establish diagnosis. Treatment centres on lifestyle modifications, vocal hygiene measures and long term use of proton pump inhibitors. Recent research in this field may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and change the way LPR is managed.

Voice Therapy Used to Test a Basic Protocol for Multidimensional Assessment of Dysphonia

The aim of this study was the elaboration of a basic voice protocol to discover which combination of tests and measures (multidimensional evaluation) provide decisive and essential data for the diagnosis of voice pathology and its prognosis. Voices of 21 patients with dysphonia and 21 subjects in a control group were evaluated and compared. Vocal function was assessed using a multiparametric set of videolaryngostroboscopic, perceptual, acoustic, spectrographic, aerodynamic, and subjective basic measurements (Multidimensional "Teatinos" Protocol). The dysphonic group received voice therapy for two sessions/week during 3 months. The results of the study were the following-(1) alterations in vocal function were reflected in the indicators: maximum phonation time (MPT) /a/, maximum exhalation time (MET) /s/, MPT during connect speech (MPTS), jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio, vocal well being (WB), self-voice assessment (SELF), vocal hygiene (HYGIENE), anxiety (ANX) and perceptual, laryngoscopic, and spectrographic explorations; (2) the indicators which are most sensitive to voice therapy are the following: MPT /a/, MET /s/, MPTS, jitter, WB, SELF, HYGIENE, ANX and perceptual, laryngoscopic, and spectrographic explorations; and (3) these positive effects were maintained or increased 4 months after termination of the treatment. Multidimensional "Teatinos" Protocol makes it possible to detect significant differences in mean values of subjective, qualitative, and objective voice assessments between dysphonic patients and control group at pre- and posttreatment stages. Therefore, multidimensional voice evaluation is a useful tool in the diagnostics of dysphonia in clinical and speech-language-therapy contexts.

Nonvibrating segment predicting glottis carcinoma

Endovideolaryngostroboscopy is the obliged evaluation tool in our everyday practice. Standardized protocol in management of broad spectrum of vocal pathology is useful in clinical, scientific and educational evaluation of patient from the first interview till the end of the treatment. Using of contemporary computerised multidimensional analysis of stroboscopic image we are approaching to optimum evaluation of any kind of interpersonal communication disorder. There were 66 patients in prospective clinical study of correlation between suspect endovideolaryngostroboscopic findings and histo-pathology verification of glottis carcinoma. Asymmetric and irregular vibrations with absent mucosal wave or absent vibrations of one part or of the whole vocal fold was improved as carcinoma in 85% of patients. The most frequent diagnosis was Ca planocellularae invasivum G2 NG 2, with subsequent open chordectomy. In every case of hoarseness longer more than 14 days, endovideolaryngostroboscopy is the golden standard for evaluating the need for microlaryngoscopy and biopsy.

Acoustic Analysis Findings in Objective Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of objective laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) on the acoustic parameters of patients by comparing their voice samples with that of control subjects.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study in two tertiary reference hospitals.

METHODS

48 consecutive patients with symptoms related to LPR and 64 control subjects were included in the study. Suspected LPR patients underwent a 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring, and 25 (52%) of them were shown to have objective LPR. Acoustical evaluation results of objective LPR patients were compared with that of symptomatic LPR patients and control subjects.

RESULTS

All frequency perturbation values obtained from objective and symptomatic LPR patients were higher than the control subjects (P<0.01). Mean fundamental frequency, amplitude perturbation measures, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSION

LPR patients have significantly different frequency perturbation values than control subjects.

[Comparison of the results obtained through manual and automatic phonetogram]

INTRODUCTION

The phonetogram (F) is the graphic representation of a person phonatory potential. The F carried out with a sonometer and a frequency analyser is what is called "manual phonetogram" (MPh), and the one obtained by means of a computer is called the "automatic phonetogram" (APh).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have carried out in 12 lyrical singers a standard MPh and an APh with the program Dr. Speech Science 3.0.

RESULTS

It was showed a significant difference with a p < 0.0005 in 14 of the 15 measures compared, and a p < 0.05 for the other one, being in general the results of the automatic test different from those of the manual in excess, with a correlation between the results obtained through both methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The APh obtained with the program Dr. Speech Science 3.0 is a faster and easier way to obtain the phonetogram than the one used to obtain the MPh, showing however big differences in excess compared with the ones of the MPh in all the usual phonetometric parameters.

Acid reflux treatment for hoarseness

BACKGROUND

Acid reflux is a common problem, and is thought to occur in 4% to 10% of patients presenting to ENT clinics. A recent study of reflux and voice disorders suggests that up to 55% of patients with hoarseness (dysphonia) have laryngopharyngeal reflux. Anti-reflux therapy is often used empirically in treating patients with hoarseness, where no other cause has been identified by examination.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the review was to assess the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness, in the absence of other identifiable causes, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made. This was assessed by evaluation of prospective randomised controlled studies that were identified by a systematic review of the literature. Both medical and surgical treatments were evaluated.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane ENT Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), EMBASE (1974 to 2005) and conference proceedings were searched with prespecified terms. The date of the last search was September 2005.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials recruiting patients with hoarseness in the absence of other identifiable causes, such as malignancy, cord palsy or nodules, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three reviewers examined the search results and identified studies before deciding which would be included in the review.

MAIN RESULTS

302 potential studies were identified by the search strategy. No trials were identified which met our inclusion criteria. Six randomised controlled trials were identified in which some, but not all patients presented with hoarseness, and were treated with proton pump inhibition. As we could not determine with certainty whether all these patients had hoarseness among the other laryngeal symptoms, these were excluded. However, these studies suggest a significant placebo response, which is comparable to the benefit derived from anti-reflux therapy in some studies. As no trials met our criteria, we are unable to reach any firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of anti-reflux treatment for hoarseness.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness which may be due to laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux.