[Complaints of patients with dysphonia].

BACKGROUND

In this study, the problems and difficulties experienced by German-speaking voice patients were assessed using a structured questionnaire.

METHODS

A total of 54 patients, 30 women and 24 men, aged 48.5+/-15.8 years suffering from benign organic and functional voice disorders, underwent systematic phoniatric examination including a detailed interview about the voice problem. The same procedure was applied to 56 age and gender matched normal control persons.

RESULTS

There were no significant gender or diagnosis-related differences concerning the number and type of symptoms and symptom-related complaints (p>0.05). Most patients (88.9%) felt disturbed by their voice problem in a total of 118 different daily situations.

CONCLUSIONS

The way patients experience voice disorders does not depend on the origin of the disorder and not on the gender. The data allow the conclusion that the case history of dysphonic patients can be assessed by a structured voice interview.