RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to investigate voice function in patients with birch pollen allergy. Voice recordings for acoustic analysis were performed during pollen season and non-pollen season, with 30 patients and 30 controls, and all participants answered a questionnaire about voice symptoms. The results show that the patients reported more voice symptoms than controls during both seasons. In the non-pollen season the symptoms were decreased in the patient group but not in the controls. Speaking fundamental frequency was lower in patients compared to controls during both seasons. The results suggest chronic edema of the vocal folds in the patients. Laryngeal examination with stroboscope was not performed but is recommended for future patients diagnosed with an air-borne allergy.
Asunto(s)
Betula/efectos adversos , Polen/efectos adversos , Rinitis Alérgica Estacional/epidemiología , Acústica del Lenguaje , Trastornos de la Voz/epidemiología , Calidad de la Voz , Acústica , Adulto , Betula/inmunología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Edema/epidemiología , Edema/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polen/inmunología , Prevalencia , Rinitis Alérgica Estacional/diagnóstico , Rinitis Alérgica Estacional/inmunología , Estaciones del Año , Medición de la Producción del Habla , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia/epidemiología , Factores de Tiempo , Pliegues Vocales/fisiopatología , Trastornos de la Voz/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Voz/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
Voice problems are seldom reported in pollen allergy, although the allergic reaction involves the entire airways. The objective of this study was to investigate voice dysfunction during the pollen season in patients with allergic rhinitis. Thirty patients with verified birch pollen allergy and 30 controls were investigated twice, during the pollen season and outside the pollen season. Both times they scored respiratory and voice symptoms, the latter with the validated questionnaire Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and performed standardized voice recordings. These recordings were analyzed in a controlled manner by a professional voice therapist. During the allergy season, patients reported more respiratory and voice symptoms compared with controls. Those with blinded scored voice dysfunction scored their voice quality during springtime as 31 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 20-42 mm), compared with 13 mm (95% CI 6-21 mm for participants without voice dysfunction (P<0.01). Furthermore, the group with experienced voice dysfunction scored significantly higher on the VHI in the functional and physical domains and in the total VHI score. Although voice problems during the pollen season are rarely discussed, in allergic rhinitis the larynx may also be involved. These findings support that some patients experience voice change, an experience which can be objectively confirmed.