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Stager SV, Bielamowicz SA. Evidence of Long-Term Voice Therapy Effectiveness in Patients With Presbylarynges. J Voice 2024:S0892-1997(24)00010-9. [PMID: 38320901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Evidence for long-term effectiveness of voice therapy (>2 years from previous clinic visit) is lacking from patients over 60 years who initially presented with voice complaints and subsequently demonstrated videostroboscopic signs of aging leading to voice therapy recommendations. Over the telephone, a certified speech-language pathologist enquired from those compliant and non-compliant, whether their voices were better, stable, or worse since their previous clinic visit, and asked them to rate Voice-Related Quality of Life, voice satisfaction, and Glottal Function Index to compare with their previous clinic visit ratings. Further questions focused on current voice satisfaction, and for those who were compliant, therapeutic experiences including home exercises. Twenty-four participated (16 complied; eight non-compliant), with a mean of 3.7 ± 1.2 years since the previous clinic visit. For those compliant, 0% reported better voices, 69% stable, and 31% worse. Most compliant participants (56%) attended between two and five therapy sessions. The most frequently reported therapy techniques were repeating nasal sounds/words; straw phonation; fewer words/breath group; and increasing pitch range. Eighty-one percent of compliant participants were given home exercises. They stopped regular practice a few months post-therapy but continued using them as rescue techniques. For those non-compliant, 88% reported better voices, 0% stable, and 12% worse. Most non-compliant participants (43%) reported lack of time as their reason for non-compliance. Most compliant participants reported stable voices, supporting voice therapy's role in maintaining voice function over time in the context of progressive aging. However, non-compliant participants were not associated with poorer voice quality over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila V Stager
- Medical Faculty Associates Voice Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, 2300 M Street N.W., Room 418, Washington, DC 20037.
| | - Steven A Bielamowicz
- Medical Faculty Associates Voice Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, 2300 M Street N.W., Room 400, Washington, DC 20037
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Nourmahnad A, Raslan S, Ezeh UC, Rossborough J, Ma R, Anis MM. Association of Sociodemographic Factors on the Presentation and Management of Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility. Laryngoscope 2024; 134:297-304. [PMID: 37515514 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association of social determinants of health (SDOH) on the presentation and management of unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI). METHODS Retrospective chart review of 207 adult UVFI patients evaluated at a tertiary-care hospital between 2018 and 2019 was performed. Sociodemographic factors including gender, median household income, preferred language, and insurance type were recorded. Confounding clinical factors including etiology of UVFI, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) score, laryngoscopic findings, and intervention history were extracted from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using sociodemographic and clinical factors. RESULTS Patient demographics and socioeconomic status were not associated with time to presentation. Patients presenting with glottic insufficiency and UVFI due to malignancy or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) sacrifice had a shorter time to presentation. Higher household income was associated with greater number of interventions (p = 0.02), but neither income nor insurance type affected intervention type or timing. Female patients were less likely to undergo injection medialization laryngoplasty (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, p = 0.005). Older patients were more likely to undergo injection (OR 1.04, p = 0.027). Patients with large glottic gaps (OR 21.2, p = 0.014) and higher VHI-10 scores (OR 1.06, p = 0.047) were more likely to undergo surgery. CONCLUSION Higher household income was associated with greater number of interventions and longer duration of care at a private tertiary-care hospital. RLN sacrifice, known malignancy, and glottic insufficiency significantly reduced the time to presentation. Type of intervention received was a complex interplay of both demographic and clinical factors. Large prospective studies should examine the role of SDOH in the presentation and management of UVFI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 134:297-304, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Nourmahnad
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Miami Hospital, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Shahm Raslan
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Uche C Ezeh
- University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | | | - Ruixuan Ma
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Mursalin M Anis
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Miami Hospital, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
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Batool S, Burks CA, Bergmark RW. Healthcare Disparities in Otolaryngology. CURRENT OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 11:1-14. [PMID: 37362031 PMCID: PMC10247342 DOI: 10.1007/s40136-023-00459-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to summarize some of the recent research studies on healthcare disparities across various subspecialties within otolaryngology. This review also highlights the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on disparities and proposes potential interventions to mitigate disparities. Recent Findings Significant healthcare disparities in care and treatment outcomes have been reported across all areas of otolaryngology. Notable differences in survival, disease recurrence, and overall mortality have been noted based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), insurance status, etc. This is most well-researched in head and neck cancer (HNC) within otolaryngology. Summary Healthcare disparities have been identified by numerous research studies within otolaryngology for many vulnerable groups that include racial and ethnic minority groups, low-income populations, and individuals from rural areas among many others. These populations continue to experience suboptimal access to timely, quality otolaryngologic care that exacerbate disparities in health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Batool
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Ciersten A. Burks
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Regan W. Bergmark
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 45 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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Mayne GV, Namazi M. Social Determinants of Health: Implications for Voice Disorders and Their Treatment. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2023; 32:1050-1064. [PMID: 37059074 DOI: 10.1044/2023_ajslp-21-00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and related conditions, such as discrimination, are social determinants of health (SDOHs). Critical race theory (CRT) is a lens through which to understand SDOHs in a way that may impact our clinical care. When prolonged or chronic, SDOHs might cause toxic stress and trauma, which, in turn, adversely affect health and are shown to be relevant for some voice disorders. The goals of this tutorial are to (a) review the literature on SDOHs that potentially contribute to disparities; (b) discuss explanatory models and theories that describe how psychosocial factors influence health; (c) relate the foregoing information to voice disorders, highlighting functional voice disorders (FVDs) as a particular case in point; and (d) describe how trauma-informed care can improve patient outcomes and advance health equity for vulnerable populations. CONCLUSIONS This tutorial concludes with a call for heightened awareness of the role that SDOHs such as structural and individual discrimination may play in voice disorders, and a call for research into SDOHs, traumatic stress, and health disparities in this patient population. A call is also made for more universal practice of trauma-informed care in the clinical voice domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneva V Mayne
- School of Communication Disorders and Deafness, Kean University, Union, NJ
| | - Mahchid Namazi
- School of Communication Disorders and Deafness, Kean University, Union, NJ
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Marmor S, Cohen SM, Misono S. Association of Visit Volume and Sociodemographic Characteristics With Vocal Improvement Among Older US Adults With a Self-reported Voice Problem. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 149:467-469. [PMID: 36951822 PMCID: PMC10037197 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study evaluates the association of sociodemographic characteristics and care utilization with improved voice function among a large sample of older US adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Schelomo Marmor
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Seth M. Cohen
- Center for Clinical Quality & Outcomes Discovery and Evaluation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Stephanie Misono
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Stager SV, Bielamowicz SA. Long-Term Voice Change in Presbylarynges Patients With and Without Intervention. J Voice 2023:S0892-1997(23)00030-9. [PMID: 36882333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore long-term patient experience of treated and untreated presbylarynges patients two or more years after their previous clinic visit by their responses to a probe about the changes in voice (better, stable, or worse) and standardized rating scales either by phone or from clinic records. Congruences of rating differences between visits and probe responses were assessed. METHODS Thirty-seven participated prospectively and seven retrospectively. Better, stable, or worse probe responses and treatment follow-through were obtained. Self-rating scales, completed verbally or obtained from charts, were compared to the previous visit so differences between visits could be converted to be congruent with probe responses. RESULTS After a mean of 4.6 years, 44% (63% untreated) reported stable, 36% (38% untreated) worse, and 20% (89% untreated) better. Significantly greater proportions of untreated reported better/stable probe responses while treated reported worse (χ2; P = 0.038). Significantly better means for all ratings were found at follow-up for those with better probe responses, but mean ratings were not significantly worse for those with worse probe response. No significant congruences of rating differences between visits and probe responses were found. In untreated reporting stable probe response, a significantly greater proportion of those with previous clinic ratings within normal limits (WNL) maintained ratings WNL at follow-up (z-statistic; P = 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS Ratings WNL at the initial evaluation, especially voice-related quality of life and effort, were found to still be WNL after several years. Little congruence was found between rating differences and probe responses, especially for worse, suggesting need for developing more sensitive rating scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila V Stager
- Voice Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037.
| | - Steven A Bielamowicz
- Voice Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037
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Madden LL, Hernandez BO, Russell GB, Wright SC, Kiell EP. The Demographics of Patients Presenting for Laryngological Care at an Academic Medical Center. Laryngoscope 2021; 132:626-632. [PMID: 34415070 DOI: 10.1002/lary.29831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Few studies address the demographics/epidemiology/socioeconomic status of patients presenting to a laryngologist at a tertiary care center for treatment. To identify any possible disparities in voice, airway, and swallowing care, we sought to analyze the aforementioned data for new patients presenting to the voice center at an academic medical center. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data from an institutional database of 4,623 new adult patients presenting for laryngological care at a tertiary care, academic medical center from 2015 to 2020. Demographic data were analyzed. RESULTS Of 4,623 patients, 62.8% were female and 37.2% were male with ages ranging from 19 to 99 years (Avg 59.51, standard deviation 15.83). Patients were 81.8% white, 13% black, and 5.2% other, compared with 56.3% white, 34.8% black, 20% other in the local municipality from US Census Data. Payer mix included 46.98% Medicare, 42.59% commercial insurance, 3.22% Medicaid, 5.19% other, and 2.01% uninsured/self-insured. Patient demographics based on primary diagnosis codes were also examined. A majority of patients presented with voice-related complaints. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the demographics of those with laryngological disorders will help to develop targeted interventions and effective outreach programs for underrepresented patient populations. Future multicenter studies could provide further insight into the distribution of healthcare disparities in laryngology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsay L Madden
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A
| | - Brian O Hernandez
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A
| | - Gregory B Russell
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Sciences, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A
| | - S Carter Wright
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A
| | - Eleanor P Kiell
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A
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Nguyen-Feng VN, Frazier PA, Roy N, Cohen S, Misono S. Perceived Control, Voice Handicap, and Barriers to Voice Therapy. J Voice 2021; 35:326.e13-326.e19. [PMID: 31604609 PMCID: PMC7138698 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the associations of perceived control with voice outcomes and self-reported likelihood of attending voice therapy using a national practice-based research network. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study of prospectively enrolled adult patients seen for dysphonia. SETTING Creating Healthcare Excellence through Education and Research (CHEER) network of community and academic practice sites. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Data collected included patient-reported demographics, outcome measures of voice (Voice Handicap Index-10), perceived control (present control subscale of voice-specific Perceived Control over Stressful Events Scale), personality (Ten Item Personality Inventory), likelihood of attending voice therapy if recommended, and barriers to attending voice therapy. RESULTS Patients (N = 247) were enrolled over 12 months from 10 sites, of whom 170 received a recommendation for voice therapy. The majority (85%) of this group planned to attend voice therapy. Voice-specific perceived control and VHI-10 were inversely related (r = -0.31, P < 0.001), even when controlling for personality. No study variables were associated with self-reported likelihood of attending voice therapy, but perceived control was the most consistent correlate of specific barriers to attending voice therapy (eg, "hard to translate into everyday use") and was inversely related to these barriers. CONCLUSIONS Patients scoring higher on a voice-specific measure of perceived control reported less voice handicap, independent of personality, and higher perceived control was associated with having fewer concerns about voice therapy goals and process. Perceived control is a potential target for intervention in patients with voice disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patricia A Frazier
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nelson Roy
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Seth Cohen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Stephanie Misono
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Feit NZ, Wang Z, Demetres MR, Drenis S, Andreadis K, Rameau A. Healthcare Disparities in Laryngology: A Scoping Review. Laryngoscope 2020; 132:375-390. [PMID: 33314122 DOI: 10.1002/lary.29325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS This scoping review aims to map out existing disparities research within the subspecialty of laryngology in order to highlight gaps in knowledge and guide future research. STUDY DESIGN Scoping Review. METHODS We completed a scoping review of PubMed, Ovid Embase, and the Cochrane Library for primary research focused on evaluating the existence and impact of disparities in race/ethnicity, sex/gender, insurance status, education level, income, geography, and LGBTQ identity in the context of various laryngological conditions. Publications of any design and date, performed in the United States, and focusing on the adult population exclusively were included. RESULTS Of the 4,999 unique abstracts identified, 51 articles were ultimately included. The most frequently examined condition in relation to disparities was laryngeal cancer (27 of 51), followed by voice disorders (15 of 51), deglutitive disorders (eight of 51), and airway disorders (one of 51). Sources of inequity evaluated from most common to least common were race/ethnicity (43 of 51), sex/gender (39 of 51), insurance status (23 of 51), geography (23 of 51), income (21 of 51), and education level (16 of 51). No study examined the association of LGBTQ identity with inequity. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review highlights the limited extent of disparities research in laryngology and establishes the need for further scholarship on the impact of disparities in laryngology care. The pathologies studied were, in decreasing order of frequency: laryngeal cancer, voice disorders, deglutitive disorders, and airway disorders. Race/ethnicity and sex/gender were the most common disparities examined, with no evaluation of LGBTQ-related care inequity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Z Feit
- Otolaryngology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Zhaorui Wang
- Otolaryngology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Michelle R Demetres
- Samuel J. Wood Library and C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Sotirios Drenis
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Katerina Andreadis
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A.,Sean Parker Institute for the Voice, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Anaïs Rameau
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A.,Sean Parker Institute for the Voice, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A
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