title: Prevalence of Vocal Tract Discomfort in the Flemish Population Without Self-Perceived Voice Disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) in the Flemish population without self-perceived voice disorders using the VTD scale and to examine the relationship between vocal load and VTD symptoms. In addition, consistency between the VTD scale and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Corporal Pain scale was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 333 participants completed the VTD scale, the VHI, and the Corporal Pain scale. Patient information about study and voice-related hobbies (for students), state of (non)professional voice user (for employees), smoking, shouting, allergy, and voice therapy was taken into account.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A median number of three VTD symptoms was reported, and 88% of the participants showed at least one symptom of VTD. Dryness (70%), tickling (62%), and lump in the throat (54%) were the most frequently occurring symptoms. The frequency and severity of VTD were significantly higher in participants who followed voice-related studies, played a team sport, were part of a youth movement, shouted frequently, and received voice therapy in the past (P < 0.05). Finally, low correlations were obtained between frequency and severity of the VTD scale and total VHI score (r = 0.226-0.411) or frequency and intensity of the Corporal Pain scale (r = 0.016-0.408).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of VTD is relatively high in the Flemish population without self-perceived voice disorders, although the frequency and severity of the symptoms are rather low. Vocal load seems to influence the frequency and severity of VTD. Finally, the VTD scale seems to reveal clinically important information that cannot be gathered from any other protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. Electronic address: Anke.Luyten@UGent.be.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luyten
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruneel
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meerschman
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'haeseleer
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Centro de Estudos da Voz - CEV, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behlau
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coffé
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristiane
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Lierde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013067:Speech Perception; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Vocal Tract Discomfort; Vocal load; Voice