Involvement of the phonatory functions in atypical COVID-19 pneumonia

Abstract EN

Background : to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the voice as many studies reported voice changes in patients with COVID-19.

objective : this study aimed to sight the involvement of phonatory function in atypical COVID-19 pneumonia.

rather than, enriching our knowledge and medical skills when dealing with that disease in our field.

patients and methods : a cross-sectional study was done on one hundred and thirty-five subjects that had COVID-19.

the recruited subjects were asked to complete a collective data, scientifically designed questionnaire involving analytical questions about demographic data, COVID-19 general symptoms, comorbidities, otolaryngological symptoms, and dysphonia symptoms.

the prevalence of dysphonia, as part of the COVID-19 symptoms, was assessed.

the onset, character, and duration were compared between dysphonic and non-dysphonic COVID-19 patients.

results : a high prevalence (57% ) of self-evaluated dysphonia among COVID-19 patients.

the current study found no correlation between gender with dysphonia while there is a significant correlation with age.

a significant correlation between dysphonia with cough and otolaryngological symptoms was detected.

a positive correlation with ventilatory support with or without intubation.

laryngoscopic examination showed that the most affected site was the glottic area by 83.3% where congestion of the vocal fold was the most common abnormality.

conclusion : dysphonia may be found in about half of individuals infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and should be considered as a symptom list of the infection.