title: Allergic rhinitis and voice change.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate voice function in patients with birch pollen allergy. Voice recordings for acoustic analysis were performed during pollen season and non-pollen season, with 30 patients and 30 controls, and all participants answered a questionnaire about voice symptoms. The results show that the patients reported more voice symptoms than controls during both seasons. In the non-pollen season the symptoms were decreased in the patient group but not in the controls. Speaking fundamental frequency was lower in patients compared to controls during both seasons. The results suggest chronic edema of the vocal folds in the patients. Laryngeal examination with stroboscope was not performed but is recommended for future patients diagnosed with an air-borne allergy.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Ann-Christine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ohlsson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Speech and Language Pathology , Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drevsäter
authors.affiliation: b Department of Speech and Language Pathology , Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Moa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brynnel
authors.affiliation: b Department of Speech and Language Pathology , Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D029662:Betula / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012621:Seasons; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality
keywords: Birch pollen allergy; speaking fundamental frequency; voice symptoms