Signs, symptoms and vocal function in individuals with dysphagia treated for head and neck cancer

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To evaluate the presence of vocal signs and symptoms and the vocal function in patients with dysphagia treated for head and neck cancer – HNC and identify the cutoff values of these instruments.

Methods

Prospective study with 96 individuals (68 men and 28 women) divided into an experimental group – EG (HNC patients with dysphagia, independently of their vocal complaints) and control group – CG (without self-reported vocal or swallowing complaints, with age and sex-matched to the EG). They all answered a questionnaire with identification and characterization of the sample data, the Vocal Signs and Symptoms List – SSL and the protocols: Glottal Function Index – GFI and Voice Symptom Scale – VoiSS. The protocols cutoff values were identified by the ROC curve.

Results

Individuals from the EG had more vocal signs and symptoms and higher scores in the GFI and the VoiSS than individuals from the CG, they also had worst vocal self-assessment. The three instruments showed maximum area under the ROC curve, with cutoff values of VoiSS=17, GFI=4 and SSL=6.

Conclusions

Individuals treated for HNC with dysphagia presented more vocal signs and symptoms, poorer perception of their vocal dysfunction and greater loss in vocal aspects of impairment, emotional and physical than the vocally healthy individuals. The three instruments showed maximum sensitivity and specificity and can be used as screening tools.

Keywords:
Dysphonia; Deglutition disorders; Head and neck neoplasms; Fluoroscopy; Surveys and questionnaires; Speech, language and hearing sciences