Kymographic characteristics of voice in women with Polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is heterogenous condition with commonly associated symptoms include irregular menstrual cycle, hirsutism, baldness, adult acne, and weight gain There have been few attempts at profiling the voice characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Videokymography enables to detect even subtle variations in vocal fold vibrations. The aim of the present study was to study the videokymographic characteristics among women with PCOS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 50 women with and without PCOS diagnosed on ultrasonography. Videokymography was carried out and the characteristics were perceptually analyzed using a vocal fold kymographic rating scale. The analysis of the kymogram was done for the following characteristics; presence of vocal fold vibration,interference of surroundings, Cycle to cycle variability, left-right asymmetry,cycle aberrations and shape of lateral peaks. The kymographic images were obtained for all the participants of both the groups and a subjective consensus evaluation was done by two clinicians. The percentage of participants with the listed kymographic characteristics were tabulated. Chi Square test was also done to decide if there was a significant difference between the two groups for different kymographic features of vocal fold vibration. Results: Six of the 25 women with PCOS were found to have abnormal kymographic features such as surrounding structural interference, presence of cycle to cycle variability and the shape of lateral peaks. Conclusion: Early detection of the vocal abnormalities in individuals with PCOS would help in the vocal rehabilitation especially for professional voice users.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Alteration of Vocal Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The age of patients ranged between 18 and 39 years. A total of 4 prospective, monocentric studies were included [3][4][5][6]. The main characteristics of the studies, including patient's inclusion and exclusion criteria, endpoint/outcomes evaluated, and tools used for the research, can be found in online supplementary materials Table S1.…”

“…Data on perceived voice quality were assessed by standardized and non-standardized scales and were reported in 4 studies [3][4][5][6]. Unfortunately, due to the different parameters and questionnaires tested in the studies considered for this review, the data were not comparable in order to perform a meta-analysis.…”

“…Anatomo-Functional Analysis Performed with Laryngoscopy In 3 out of 4 studies [4][5][6], direct viewing of the larynx with fiberoptic laryngoscope or videostroboscopy was performed and allowed to identify any organic or functional alterations of the phonatory system. Unfortunately, data were not comparable because the parameters analysed were different depending on the research group.…”

“…Unfortunately, data were not comparable because the parameters analysed were different depending on the research group. The following parameters were statistically different in patients with PCOS compared with healthy women: increased supraglottic hyperfunction [4]; increased incomplete glottis closure [4]; increased mediolateral compression [4]; reduced amplitude of vibration [4]; increased abnormal mucosal wave [4]; increased surrounding structural interference [6]; increased cycle-to-cycle variability [6]; increased rounded shape of lateral peaks [6]; All the instrumental findings are summarized in online supplementary material Table S3.…”

“…Hyperandrogenism, which is a common feature of PCOS, refers to an excess of androgen hormones that can cause a variety of symptoms, including hirsutism, acne, and alopecia [1,2]. Voice change, also known as dysphonia, is a less common symptom of hyperandrogenism, but it has been reported in some women with PCOS [3][4][5][6]. In fact, androgens have an effect on the larynx, causing the thickening of the vocal cords and resulting in alterations to the voice.…”