Acoustic analysis of voice in Huntington's disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
Alterations of voice and speech are frequently observed in Huntington's disease (HD). The aim of this study was to assess the degree of voice and speech abnormalities in a group of patients with HD and to analyze possible correlations with degree of disease severity.


METHODS
An observational study was carried out on diagnosed cases and controls. The voices of 20 patients were analyzed and compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. Variables analyzed included subjective voice exploration, analysis of aerodynamic efficiency, acoustic analysis measures, and laryngeal examination descriptions. Results obtained were correlated with degree of disease severity.


RESULTS
Changes in the Voice Handicap Index and clinical characteristics of the voice were observed. Maximum phonation time was reduced. Acoustic analysis revealed changes that were analyzed. Uncontrolled adduction-abduction movements were observed by laryngeal examination. All results showed a positive correlation with degree of disease severity assessed by the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
HD causes alterations in subjective voice features, aerodynamic and acoustic analysis measures that are correlated with disease severity.
Service of Otolaryngology (ENT), N(a) S(a) de Sonsoles Hospital, Avila, Spain. mjesus.velascogarcia@gmail.com
María Jesús
MJ
Velasco García
Ignacio
I
Cobeta
Gonzalo
G
Martín
Hortensia
H
Alonso-Navarro
Félix Javier
FJ
Jimenez-Jimenez
D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult