Estudio epidemiológico de pacientes con disfonías funcionales.

BACKGROUND: We performed an epidemiologic study of patients suffering from functional dysphonia in relation to their age, sex, occupation, associated pathological background, vocal behaviour, tobacco consumption, and first features and duration of their condition. OBJECTIVE: To carry out an epidemiological study of the factors that can be considered triggering or predisposing patients to functional dysphonia, such as their age, sex, occupation, associated pathological background, prior vocal behavior, tobacco consumption, and first features and duration of their condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematized protocol was applied to 65 patients diagnosed with functional dysphonia in a five-year period. RESULTS: We found that the average age was 34 years; 87.7% were women; 95.4% were the hyperkinetic type. The majority had professions that involve facing the public or were voice professionals. The most frequent associated personal background was anxiety, depression, allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux. Previous vocal behaviour was characterized by vocal misuse and abuse, cervical tension, singing and hoarseness. 27.7% referred tobacco consumption. 66.2% referred a gradual beginning of the pathology and an average duration of 44.5 years. CONCLUSION: The functional dysphonias, frequent in women between 20 and 40 years of age, are most likely to affect people whose professions involve an excessive use of their voice. The personal background most related includes anxiety-depressive disorders, gastroesophageal reflux and allergic processes. The majority present a vocal behaviour characterized by misuse and abuse, singing cervical tension and hoarseness. Most of the patients show a gradual start of their symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]