Comparison between voice quality alteration and dysphagia severity in stroke patients

Abstract

Dysphagia is often found in stroke patients and is associated with clinical complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition, 1 therefore, besides functional aspects, dysphagia may impact quality of life with emotional, physical, and social implications. 2 Early detection of dysphagia reduces mortality and admission time, consequently lowering costs with hospitalization, 2,3 in this perspective, bedside clinical evaluations help decision-making as they are more economic, allow for immediate treatment initiation, and are non-invasive procedures 4 . However, despite commonly employed, the literature lacks consensus concerning the parameters that should be part of bedside clinical evaluations. 3,4 Voice is produced in the vocal tract and is the result of the interaction between vocal fold vibration and the resonance system, among other roles, the larynx works in phonation and protection of the airways; thus, when the protection mechanism is compromised, voice production may also be impacted. 5 The presence of dysphonia in stroke patients is common 6 and figures among the parameters investigated in cases of suspected dysphagia 4 since the reduction in laryngeal elevation, inefficient glottal closure, and weaker protection of the upper airways are some of the predictive factors for aspiration risk. 7 Both voice production and