Laryngeal and vocal evaluation in untreated growth hormone deficient adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the consequences of lifetime, severe and untreated isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) on vocal and laryngeal function.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
A total of 23 IGHD adult subjects and 22 controls were administered a questionnaire about vocal complaints and harmful voice habits, and underwent videolaryngostroboscopic examination, voice evaluation by perceptual-auditory analysis with GRBAS scale including grade of dysphonia, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain items, objective voice evaluation by maximum phonation time (MPT), and acoustic analysis.


RESULTS
There was no difference in vocal complaints between IGHD subjects and controls. Vocal abuse and smoking were more frequent in IGHD subjects. IGHD subjects presented higher values for roughness, breathiness, and strain. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) signs and laryngeal constriction were more frequent in IGHD individuals. MPT was similar in the two groups. Fundamental frequency was higher in IGHD females and males. Harmonic to noise ratio was higher in IGHD in both genders and shimmer was lower in IGHD females.


CONCLUSIONS
IGHD subjects have higher prevalence of signs of LPR and laryngeal constriction, with high pitch in both genders, which suggests a prominent role of IGHD on these parameters.
Barreto
Valéria M P
VM
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. pauloeva@uol.com.br
D'Avila
Jeferson S
JS
Sales
Neuza J
NJ
Gonçalves
Maria Inês R
MI
Seabra
Juliane Dantas
JD
Salvatori
Roberto
R
Aguiar-Oliveira
Manuel H
MH
D000328:Adult; D004393:Dwarfism, Pituitary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049489:Stroboscopy; D014831:Voice / Q000502:physiology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology