title: Prevalence and Voice Characteristics of Laryngeal Pathology in an Italian Voice Therapy-seeking Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of voice disorders in a large group of patients seeking voice therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective prevalence study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 821 patients were enrolled. Each patient was evaluated following a multidimensional protocol including videolaryngostroboscopy, perception, acoustics, aerodynamics, and self-rating by the patient. Data regarding age, gender, tobacco use, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and professional voice use were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on videolaryngoscopic findings, the sample group was divided into patients with functional dysphonia (n = 155), patients with organic dysphonia (n = 359), and patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders (n = 307). The most frequently detected pathologies were vocal fold paralysis, muscle tension dysphonia, and vocal fold edema. Children (n = 41) and adolescents (n = 43) represented a minority of the sample group. Dysphonia was significantly more common in women. Organic dysphonia was more common in children and adolescents. GERD was suspected in 382 patients and confirmed in 83 of them; 164 patients were smokers. Professional voice users composed the large majority of the working population and were more frequently affected by organic dysphonia. Patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders presented a worse voice quality and voice-related quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients seeking voice therapy, there are more females than males, children and adolescents represent a minority of the sample, professional voice users more commonly present organic dysphonia, and patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders show significantly worse voice quality.
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.schindler@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mozzanica
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Audiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS "ca' Granda", Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ginocchio
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barillari
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Audiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS "ca' Granda", Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barozzi
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maruzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, San Giuseppe Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schindler
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013067:Speech Perception; D049489:Stroboscopy; D014741:Video Recording; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dysphonia; Dysphonia prevalence; Laryngeal pathology; Quality of life; Voice disorder