Prevalence of dysphagia in patients with muscle tension dysphonia

Background It is hypothesised that patients with muscle tension dysphonia have a high prevalence of dysphagia in comparison to normative values reported in the literature. Methods This prospective study included 44 subjects diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, based on symptoms and laryngoscopic findings, and 25 control subjects with no history of dysphonia and normal laryngeal examination findings. Demographic data included age, gender and smoking history. The aetiology of muscle tension dysphonia was classified as primary or secondary. Evaluation involved the Eating Assessment Tool ('EAT-10') questionnaire. Results Patients' mean age was 45.93 +/- 14.95 years, with a female to male ratio of 1.2:1. Fourteen patients had primary muscle tension dysphonia, while 30 had secondary muscle tension dysphonia. Among patients with secondary muscle tension dysphonia, Reinke's oedema was the most common aetiology. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of dysphagia between the study group and the control group (40.9 per cent vs 8 per cent respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrates a higher prevalence of dysphagia in patients with the presenting symptom of dysphonia and diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia in comparison to subjects with no dysphonia.