title: Voice, speech, and laryngeal features of primary Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined voice, speech, and laryngeal characteristics in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients (10 female, 1 male; mean [SD] age = 57 [14] years) from The University of Utah Division of Rheumatology provided connected speech and sustained vowel samples. Analyses included the Multi-Dimensional Voice Profile, the Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice, and dysphonia severity, speech clarity, and videolaryngostroboscopy ratings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Shimmer, amplitude perturbation quotient, and average fundamental frequency differed significantly from normative values (P < .01). Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia values indicated mild-to-moderate dysphonia in connected speech (mean [SD] = 20.26 [8.36]) and sustained vowels (mean [SD] = 16.91 [11.08]). Ratings of dysphonia severity and speech clarity using 10-cm visual analog scales suggested mild-to-moderate dysphonia in connected speech (mean [SD] = 2.11 [1.72]) and sustained vowels (mean [SD] = 3.13 [2.20]) and mildly reduced speech clarity (mean [SD] = 1.46 [1.36]). Videolaryngostroboscopic ratings indicated mild-to-moderate dryness and mild reductions in overall laryngeal function. Voice Handicap Index scores indicated mild-to-moderate voice symptoms (mean [SD] = 43 [23]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with pSS may experience dysphonia and articulatory imprecision, typically in the mild-to-moderate range. These findings have implications for diagnostic and referral practices in pSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Voice Disorders Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.affiliation: Voice Disorders Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA kristine_tanner@byu.edu.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Voice Disorders Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Shawn L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Ray M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Karla L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Voice Disorders Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Houtz
authors.affiliation: Voice Disorders Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ellerston
authors.affiliation: Voice Disorders Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kendall
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D049489:Stroboscopy / Q000379:methods; D014741:Video Recording; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: autoimmune disease; primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS); speech clarity; voice disorders