Subjective and objective voice evaluation in Sjögren’s syndrome

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to assess the subjective and objective aspects of voice in Sjögren’s syndrome.

Methods The study enrolled 10 women with Sjögren’s syndrome and 12 healthy women. Maximum phonation time, fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were determined during acoustic voice analysis. The Stroboscopy Evaluation Rating Form was used for the laryngostroboscopic evaluation. A subjective evaluation was performed using the Turkish version of Voice Handicap Index-10.

Results The mean age of the Sjögren’s syndrome and control groups was 46 ± 13.89 and 41.27 ± 6.99 years, respectively, and did not differ (P = 0.131). In the laryngostroboscopic evaluation, the smoothness and straightness of vocal folds, regularity, and glottal closure differed significantly. In the acoustic and aerodynamic analyses, none of the parameters differed statistically, while the Sjögren’s syndrome group had significantly higher Voice Handicap Index-10 scores than the controls.

Conclusion Sjögren’s syndrome affects the voice and voice quality.

Keywords:

• Acoustic analysis
• dehydration
• larynx
• rheumatological disease
• stroboscopy
• voice handicap index

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.