Clinico-Pathological Study of Hoarseness among Adult Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Hoarseness is a non-specific, subjective term, used to describe change in normal quality of voice. It is often described as harsh, grating, breathy, strained, rough or lower pitched voice. Proper knowledge and clinico-pathological profile is necessary to treat the underlying pathology.

Methods: This is a prospective study, carried out in 109 patients presented to Department of ENT-HNS, KISTMCTH, Imadol, Lalitpur with hoarseness of voice for more than two weeks over a period of 1 year from June 11 2020 to June 10 2021. All patients with history of voice changes and age greater than 14 years were thoroughly evaluated and Flexible Fibreoptic Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy done.

Result: 109 patients between age group of 15 to 88 years were studied. Among them the age group of 35-44 years was mainly suffered from hoarseness. The number of male and females were 47 (43.1%) and 62 (56.9%) respectively with male to female ratio 0.75:1. Most common duration of hoarseness (50.5%) was between 2 to 4 weeks. Non –vocal / Non –Professionals (Level IV) voice users (67.9%) were affected mostly in this group which included laborers, housewives and clerks. Patients presented with foreign body sensation throat (76) and laryngopharyngeal Reflux (62), which were the most common predisposing factors then was followed by voice abuse (58). In present study Flexible Fibreoptic Nasopharyngolaryngoscopic diagnosed pathological changes in vocal cord were Laryngitis (acute and chronic) 40.3% followed by Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease 28.4% and vocal nodule 12.8%.

Conclusions: Voice is an important means for communication. Any delay in evaluation and identification of organic causes of change in voice can worsen the prognosis. Patients with hoarseness for more than two weeks duration must be evaluated.