ABSTRACT
Purpose
To analyze the self-assessment of voice symptoms and vocal tract discomfort in individuals with and without Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) and to analyze the influence of the time of diagnosis and the type of insulin therapy in the self-assessment.
Methods
Sixty individuals participated, divided into two groups: Group I (G1) - 30 individuals with T1D; Group II (G2) - 30 individuals without T1D. The participants responded to the Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) and Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD). G1 participants also answered to a questionnaire to obtain data of the diagnosis and medical treatment of T1D. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results
There was no difference between groups for self-assessment of voice symptoms and vocal tract discomfort. In G1, a moderate positive correlation was found between time of diagnosis and the variables: burning frequency, burning intensity and frequency of soreness. In addition, there were significantly higher values of frequency and intensity of soreness and irritated throat in individuals who reported performing insulin therapy using an infusion pumps compared to those who realize multiple daily injections.
Conclusion
Individuals with T1D have few vocal symptoms and vocal tract discomfort; they are not different from the control group. However, characteristics of the disease such as time of diagnosis and type of insulin therapy have influence in the perception of the frequency and intensity of some vocal tract discomfort.
Keywords:
Self-assessment; Diabetes mellitus; Voice disorders; Larynx; Voice