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Combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints before thyroidectomy

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To analyze the combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints before thyroidectomy.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of 51 interviews of patients referred for partial or total thyroidectomy. The combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints was determined from the median of the total number of related symptoms in each group. We also investigated how patients rated each function (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor) and whether this rating was related to the number of symptoms and the combined frequency. For bivariate analysis, Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test were used. The level of significance was 5%.

Results

The combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints before thyroidectomy was 31.4%. The most commonly swallowing-related symptoms were throat clearing after swallowing (39.3%), swallowing effort (37.2%), and choking (35.3%). The most commonly voice-related symptoms were dry throat (72.6%), throat clearing (72.5%), and itchy throat (47%). The total number of symptoms was significantly higher among those who rated swallowing (3.13 ± 2.21) and voice (5.91 ± 2.81) negatively. Negative self-assessment of the voice was associated with the combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints (p=0.003).

Conclusion

The combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints before thyroidectomy occurs in one third of the patients and is associated with negative self-assessment of the voice.

Keywords:
Thyroid gland; Thyroidectomy; Voice; Swallowing; Self-assessment

RESUMO

Objetivo

Analisar a frequência combinada de queixas relacionadas à deglutição e voz, antes da tireoidectomia.

Métodos

Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva de 51 entrevistas de pacientes encaminhados para tireoidectomia parcial ou total. A partir da mediana da quantidade total de cada grupo de sintomas de deglutição e voz, determinou-se a frequência combinada de queixas relacionadas à deglutição e voz. Investigou-se, ainda, como os pacientes classificaram cada uma das duas funções (excelente, muito boa, boa, razoável ou ruim) e se esta classificação se relacionava com a quantidade de sintomas e com a frequência combinada. Para a análise bivariada, foram utilizados os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson ou exato de Fisher e o teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. O nível de significância foi de 5%.

Resultados

A frequência combinada de queixas relacionadas à deglutição e voz antes da tireoidectomia foi de 31,4%. Os sintomas mais citados, relacionados à deglutição, foram pigarro após deglutir (39,3%), esforço para deglutir (37,2%) e engasgo (35,3%) e os relacionados à voz foram garganta seca (72,6%), pigarro na garganta (72,5%) e coceira na garganta (47%). A quantidade de sintomas foi significativamente maior entre os que classificaram a deglutição (3,13 ± 2,21) e a voz (5,91 ± 2,81) de forma negativa. Houve associação entre autoavaliação negativa da voz e a frequência combinada de queixas relacionadas à deglutição e voz (p=0,003).

Conclusão

A combinação de queixas relacionadas à deglutição e voz antes da tireoidectomia ocorre em um terço dos pacientes e está associada à autoavaliação negativa da voz.

Palavras-chave:
Glândula tireoide; Tireoidectomia; Voz; Deglutição; Autoavaliação

INTRODUCTION

Benign or malignant thyroid disorders affect hormone production and secretion(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
) and may alter functional patterns of voice(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...

2 Isolan-Cury RW, Silva MAA, Monte O, Cury AN. Caracterização vocal de pacientes com hipertireoidismo e hipotireoidismo. Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol. 2007;12(2):135-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-80342007000200011.
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) and swallowing(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
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,33 Sahli Z, Canner JK, Najjar O, Schneider EB, Prescott JD, Russell JO, et al. Association between age and patient-reported changes in voice and swallowing after thyroidectomy. Laryngoscope. 2019;129(2):519-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.27297. PMid:30194684.
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,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
). Such diseases can be treated by thyroidectomy, which consists of partial or total removal of the thyroid gland(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
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,55 Kane EG, Shore S. Thyroidectomy. Surgery. 2014;32(10):543-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.07.011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.0...
,66 Iyomasa RM, Tagliarini JV, Rodrigues SA, Tavares ELM, Martins RHG. Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2019;85(1):3-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.08.015. PMid:29030129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.0...
). This procedure can lead to voice and swallowing changes due to multiple factors such as extent of surgery(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
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,77 Ryu J, Ryu YM, Jung Y, Kim S, Lee YJ, Lee E, et al. Extent of thyroidectomy affects vocal and throat functions: A prospective observational study of lobectomy versus total thyroidectomy. Surgery. 2013;154(3):611-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2013.03.011. PMid:23932596.
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), technique used in the procedure(88 Silva ICM, Netto IP, Vartanian JG, Kowalski LP, Angelis EC. Prevalence of upper aerodigestive symptoms in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with and without the use of intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring. Thyroid. 2012;22(8):814-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118. PMid:22780215.
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,99 Lee J, Kwon IS, Bae EH, Chung WY. Comparative analysis of oncological outcomes and quality of life after robotic versus conventional open thyroidectomy with modified radical neck dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and lateral neck node metastases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(7):2701-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2013-1583. PMid:23678034.
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), orotracheal intubation(55 Kane EG, Shore S. Thyroidectomy. Surgery. 2014;32(10):543-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.07.011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.0...
,66 Iyomasa RM, Tagliarini JV, Rodrigues SA, Tavares ELM, Martins RHG. Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2019;85(1):3-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.08.015. PMid:29030129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.0...
), dissection of cervical muscles(66 Iyomasa RM, Tagliarini JV, Rodrigues SA, Tavares ELM, Martins RHG. Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2019;85(1):3-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.08.015. PMid:29030129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.0...
), bruising(66 Iyomasa RM, Tagliarini JV, Rodrigues SA, Tavares ELM, Martins RHG. Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2019;85(1):3-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.08.015. PMid:29030129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.0...
), and manipulation of the laryngeal nerves(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,55 Kane EG, Shore S. Thyroidectomy. Surgery. 2014;32(10):543-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.07.011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.0...
,66 Iyomasa RM, Tagliarini JV, Rodrigues SA, Tavares ELM, Martins RHG. Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2019;85(1):3-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.08.015. PMid:29030129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.0...
,1010 Nam IC, Bae J, Shim M, Hwang Y, Kim M, Sun D. The importance of preoperative laryngeal examination before thyroidectomy and the usefulness of a voice questionnaire in screening. World J Surg. 2012;36(2):303-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1347-5. PMid:22083436.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-134...
).

However, voice and swallowing changes may be present even before thyroidectomy due to a possible hormonal disorder(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,22 Isolan-Cury RW, Silva MAA, Monte O, Cury AN. Caracterização vocal de pacientes com hipertireoidismo e hipotireoidismo. Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol. 2007;12(2):135-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-80342007000200011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-80342007...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
). In addition, increased gland volume(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,1111 Fiorentino E, Cipolla C, Graceffa G, Cusimano A, Cupido F, Lo Re G, et al. Local neck symptoms before and after thyroidectomy: a possible correlation with reflux laryngopharyngitis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;268(5):715-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1394-9. PMid:20936521.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-139...
,1212 Sabaretnam M, Mishra A, Chand G, Agarwal G, Agarwal A, Verma KA, et al. Assessment of swallowing function impairment in patients with benign goiters and impact of thyroidectomy: a case control study. World J Surg. 2012;36(6):1293-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-012-1562-8. PMid:22422173.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-012-156...
) and the presence of benign or malignant nodules(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...
,1414 Koga MRV, Soares VMN, Lacerda ABM. Caracterização de pacientes e dos distúrbios de comunicação associados às patologias da tireoide. Tuiuti. Cienc Cult. 2013;47:91-106.) may cause compressive symptoms such as shortness of breath(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...
,1414 Koga MRV, Soares VMN, Lacerda ABM. Caracterização de pacientes e dos distúrbios de comunicação associados às patologias da tireoide. Tuiuti. Cienc Cult. 2013;47:91-106.), swallowing effort(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
,1414 Koga MRV, Soares VMN, Lacerda ABM. Caracterização de pacientes e dos distúrbios de comunicação associados às patologias da tireoide. Tuiuti. Cienc Cult. 2013;47:91-106.), foreign body sensation in the throat(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
,1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...
,1515 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.

16 Gohrbandt AE, Aschoff A, Gohrbandt B, Keilmann A, Lang H, Musholt TJ. Changes of laryngeal mobility and symptoms following thyroid surgery: 6-month follow-up. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):636-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3323-y. PMid:26560148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-332...
-1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
), choking(1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
), and odynophagia(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
,1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...
,1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
), impacting the biomechanics of swallowing. Similarly, communication may be affected by vocal symptoms such as hoarseness, voice weakness, and monotonous voice(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,66 Iyomasa RM, Tagliarini JV, Rodrigues SA, Tavares ELM, Martins RHG. Laryngeal and vocal alterations after thyroidectomy. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2019;85(1):3-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.08.015. PMid:29030129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.0...
,1010 Nam IC, Bae J, Shim M, Hwang Y, Kim M, Sun D. The importance of preoperative laryngeal examination before thyroidectomy and the usefulness of a voice questionnaire in screening. World J Surg. 2012;36(2):303-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1347-5. PMid:22083436.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-134...
,1616 Gohrbandt AE, Aschoff A, Gohrbandt B, Keilmann A, Lang H, Musholt TJ. Changes of laryngeal mobility and symptoms following thyroid surgery: 6-month follow-up. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):636-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3323-y. PMid:26560148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-332...
), as well as by physical symptoms such as throat clearing, pain and discomfort when speaking(1818 Figueiroa DCM, Dassie-Leite AP, Koga M, Santos RS. Sintomas vocais em sujeitos encaminhados à tireoidectomia. R Bras Qual Vida. 2015;7(4):230-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204...
).

Although voice and swallowing complaints are still considered minor complications of thyroid disease in clinical routine, they significantly affect patients’ quality of life(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,1919 Pernambuco LA, Almeida MN, Matias KG, Costa EBMC. Voice assessment and voice-related quality of life in patients with benign thyroid disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1):116-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0194599814557468. PMid:25389320.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/01945998145574...
,2020 Koga MRV, Leite APD, Ribeiro VV. Voice-related quality of life in patients pre thyroidectomy. Rev CEFAC. 2015;18(5):1035-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201618516015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620161...
). Considering that voice and swallowing share common structures and pathways, it is assumed that the simultaneous occurrence of voice and swallowing complaints may represent the presence of more severe functional and quality of life impairments even before surgical intervention.

Many studies on thyroidectomy have addressed preoperative occurrence of voice and swallowing symptoms in isolation(1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...

14 Koga MRV, Soares VMN, Lacerda ABM. Caracterização de pacientes e dos distúrbios de comunicação associados às patologias da tireoide. Tuiuti. Cienc Cult. 2013;47:91-106.

15 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.

16 Gohrbandt AE, Aschoff A, Gohrbandt B, Keilmann A, Lang H, Musholt TJ. Changes of laryngeal mobility and symptoms following thyroid surgery: 6-month follow-up. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):636-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3323-y. PMid:26560148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-332...

17 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...

18 Figueiroa DCM, Dassie-Leite AP, Koga M, Santos RS. Sintomas vocais em sujeitos encaminhados à tireoidectomia. R Bras Qual Vida. 2015;7(4):230-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204...

19 Pernambuco LA, Almeida MN, Matias KG, Costa EBMC. Voice assessment and voice-related quality of life in patients with benign thyroid disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1):116-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0194599814557468. PMid:25389320.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/01945998145574...
-2020 Koga MRV, Leite APD, Ribeiro VV. Voice-related quality of life in patients pre thyroidectomy. Rev CEFAC. 2015;18(5):1035-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201618516015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620161...
), but the combined frequency of these conditions before surgery is unknown. Therefore, this study analyzes the combined frequency of voice and swallowing complaints before thyroidectomy.

METHOD

This is a quantitative, retrospective, and documentary study derived from a structuring project approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital (HULW/UFPB/EBSERH), João Pessoa city, Paraíba State, under nº. 2,382,441/2017.

Collection was performed from the database of a service that provides multiprofessional care to patients with head and neck cancer in a university hospital. This study considered collection records made between July 2016 and May 2017.

We included records of patients aged 18 years and over, of both sexes, with medical diagnosis of thyroid disease and indication of partial or total thyroidectomy. Records with incomplete data were excluded. The sample consisted of 51 patients aged between 20 and 81 years (averaging 52.6 ± 14.8 years), predominantly female (n=49; 96.1%), referred for partial (n=11, 21.6%) or total (n=40; 78.4%) thyroidectomy due to nodular disease (n=31; 60.8%) or goiter (n=20; 39.2%).

Voice and swallowing complaints recorded in the database were obtained from a checklist prepared by the professionals responsible for the service. The checklist consisted of 11 symptoms related to swallowing and ten related to voice, recording the presence, absence, and frequency of symptom occurrence (sometimes or always) (Appendix 1 Appendix 1 Checklist of symptoms and signs related to swallowing and voice Swallowing No Yes Sometimes Always Fatigue after eating ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Odynophagia ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Weight loss ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Pneumonia ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Choking after swallowing ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Voice change after swallowing ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Throat clearing after swallowing ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Tiredness while eating ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Runny nose after swallowing ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Stop eating due to difficulty in swallowing ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Swallowing effort ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Multiple swallows ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Voice Sore throat ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Throat clearing ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Burning in the throat ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Itchy throat ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Dry throat ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Tiredness while speaking ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Speaking effort ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Voice worsening during the day ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Loss of voice during the day ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ Feel uncomfortable to speak ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ).

To define the combined frequency of voice and swallowing complaints, the following steps were taken: 1) collection of the total amount of symptoms reported for each of the two functions analyzed and for each patient; 2) calculation of the median of each of the two functions analyzed, to determine the minimum amount of symptoms for the complaint to be considered (two or more swallowing symptoms; five or more voice symptoms); 3) definition of the combined frequency by the concomitant presence of complaint in both functions.

Another piece of data collected was the classification the patient gave to his or her own swallowing and voice, based on the following questions: “how do you evaluate your swallowing?” and “how do you evaluate your voice?”. The answers to both questions followed a Likert scale with five options: excellent, very good, good, reasonable, or poor. For purposes of analysis, these five categories were dichotomized into “positive self-assessment” (excellent, very good, and good) and “negative self-assessment” (reasonable or poor). Other independent variables of interest included clinical data: type of surgery indicated, diagnosis of thyroid disease, smoking history, and self-reported gastroesophageal reflux.

The descriptive analysis of the variables included the calculation of measures of central tendency and variability, as well as the presentation of the absolute and relative distribution of data. In the bivariate analysis, Pearson's chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to verify the association between variables. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was applied to determine mean differences between categories. The significance level was 5% and the software used was SPSS version 20.0.

RESULTS

The number of swallowing-related symptoms ranged from 0 to 7, with 38 participants (74.4%) reporting at least one symptom. The most cited symptoms, regardless of frequency, were throat clearing after swallowing (39.3%), swallowing effort (37.2%), and choking (35.3%). When considering the frequency, the most recurrent symptom was throat clearing after swallowing (11.8%) (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Percentage distribution of swallowing complaints reported by patients before thyroidectomy. João Pessoa - PB, 2017

The number of voice-related symptoms, in turn, ranged from 0 to 10, and 44 (86.3%) patients reported at least one voice symptom. The three most cited symptoms were dry throat (72.6%), throat clearing (72.5%), and itchy throat (47%). When considering the frequency, dry throat was the most recurrent symptom (31.4%) (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Percentage distribution of voice complaints reported by patients before thyroidectomy. João Pessoa - PB, 2017

There was a balanced distribution between patients who rated their swallowing positively (n=27; 52%) and patients who rated it negatively (n=24; 48%) (Figure 3). However, the number of swallowing complaints was higher among those who rated swallowing negatively (3.13 ± 2.21) compared to those who rated it positively (1.04 ± 1.16), this difference being statistically significant (p<0.001; 95% CI = 1.11-3.06).

Figure 3
Absolute and percentage distribution of self-rated swallowing and voice as reported by patients before thyroidectomy. João Pessoa - PB, 2017

In voice self-assessment, there was also a balanced distribution between positive (n=29; 57%) and negative (n=22; 43%) ratings (Figure 3). Patients who rated their voice negatively had more voice symptoms (5.91 ± 2.81) compared to those who rated it positively (1.04 ± 1.16), this difference being statistically significant (p<0.001; 95% CI = 1.56-4.59).

The combined frequency of voice and swallowing complaints was 31.4% (n=16), being approximately four times higher in patients who rated their voice negatively compared to those who rated it positively (p=0.003). No other associations were found (Table 1).

Table 1
Association between the combined frequency of voice and swallowing complaints before thyroidectomy and independent variables

DISCUSSION

Almost half of the participants of this study rated voice and swallowing negatively. As expected, this group of patients had a higher number of symptoms in both functions compared to those whose self-assessment was positive. This result is in line with the literature, indicating that voice(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,1111 Fiorentino E, Cipolla C, Graceffa G, Cusimano A, Cupido F, Lo Re G, et al. Local neck symptoms before and after thyroidectomy: a possible correlation with reflux laryngopharyngitis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;268(5):715-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1394-9. PMid:20936521.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-139...
,1414 Koga MRV, Soares VMN, Lacerda ABM. Caracterização de pacientes e dos distúrbios de comunicação associados às patologias da tireoide. Tuiuti. Cienc Cult. 2013;47:91-106.

15 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.
-1616 Gohrbandt AE, Aschoff A, Gohrbandt B, Keilmann A, Lang H, Musholt TJ. Changes of laryngeal mobility and symptoms following thyroid surgery: 6-month follow-up. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):636-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3323-y. PMid:26560148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-332...
,1818 Figueiroa DCM, Dassie-Leite AP, Koga M, Santos RS. Sintomas vocais em sujeitos encaminhados à tireoidectomia. R Bras Qual Vida. 2015;7(4):230-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204...

19 Pernambuco LA, Almeida MN, Matias KG, Costa EBMC. Voice assessment and voice-related quality of life in patients with benign thyroid disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1):116-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0194599814557468. PMid:25389320.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/01945998145574...

20 Koga MRV, Leite APD, Ribeiro VV. Voice-related quality of life in patients pre thyroidectomy. Rev CEFAC. 2015;18(5):1035-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201618516015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620161...
-2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...
) and swallowing(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
,1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...

14 Koga MRV, Soares VMN, Lacerda ABM. Caracterização de pacientes e dos distúrbios de comunicação associados às patologias da tireoide. Tuiuti. Cienc Cult. 2013;47:91-106.

15 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.

16 Gohrbandt AE, Aschoff A, Gohrbandt B, Keilmann A, Lang H, Musholt TJ. Changes of laryngeal mobility and symptoms following thyroid surgery: 6-month follow-up. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):636-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3323-y. PMid:26560148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-332...
-1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
,2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...

22 Greenblatt DY, Sippel R, Leverson G, Frydman J, Schaefer S, Chen H. Thyroid resection improves perception of swallowing function in patients with thyroid disease. World J Surg. 2009;33(2):255-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9837-9. PMid:19034567.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-983...
-2323 Park YM, Oh KH, Cho JG, Baek SK, Kwon SY, Jung KY, et al. Changes in voice- and swallowing-related symptoms after thyroidectomy: one-year follow-up study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2018;127(3):171-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0003489417751472. PMid:29298509.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00034894177514...
) symptoms may be reported by patients referred for thyroidectomy. This is especially due to the compressive characteristics of thyroid disease, in addition to hormonal changes and impairment of laryngeal mobility or laryngotracheal complex(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
).

Among swallowing complaints, throat clearing after swallowing was the most cited, followed by swallowing effort and choking. The proximity of the thyroid gland to the trachea and laryngopharynx(2424 Ritchie JE, Balasubramanian SP. Anatomy of the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. Surgery. 2014;32(10):499-503. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.07.005.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2014.0...
) may alter both hyolaryngeal and epiglottis elevation during swallowing, leading to stasis in valleculae and/or piriform sinuses(1111 Fiorentino E, Cipolla C, Graceffa G, Cusimano A, Cupido F, Lo Re G, et al. Local neck symptoms before and after thyroidectomy: a possible correlation with reflux laryngopharyngitis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;268(5):715-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1394-9. PMid:20936521.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-139...
), which may justify throat clearing, swallowing effort, and choking.

Stasis may also be referred to as a foreign body sensation in the throat and is cited in the literature as a frequent symptom in patients with thyroid disease(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,44 Scerrino G, Tudisca C, Bonventre S, Raspanti C, Picone D, Porrello C, et al. Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: what we know and where we are: a systematic review. Int J Surg. 2017;41(Suppl 1):S94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.078. PMid:28506421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03...
,1313 Banks CA, Ayers CM, Hornig JD, Lentsch MD, Day TA, Nguyen SA, et al. Thyroid disease and compressive symptoms. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(1):13-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366. PMid:22147633.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.22366...
,1515 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.

16 Gohrbandt AE, Aschoff A, Gohrbandt B, Keilmann A, Lang H, Musholt TJ. Changes of laryngeal mobility and symptoms following thyroid surgery: 6-month follow-up. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):636-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3323-y. PMid:26560148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-332...
-1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
,2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...
,2222 Greenblatt DY, Sippel R, Leverson G, Frydman J, Schaefer S, Chen H. Thyroid resection improves perception of swallowing function in patients with thyroid disease. World J Surg. 2009;33(2):255-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9837-9. PMid:19034567.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-983...
). Therefore, it is assumed that in attempting to minimize the discomfort caused by the permanence of residues in the laryngopharynx, the patient develops throat clearing after swallowing, referred to in this study as the most frequent symptom among all related to swallowing.

Regarding voice, there was a predominance of physical symptoms such as dry throat, throat clearing, and itchy throat, with dry throat being the most recurrent. Physical symptoms were also the most reported in other studies that investigated voice complaints before thyroidectomy(1818 Figueiroa DCM, Dassie-Leite AP, Koga M, Santos RS. Sintomas vocais em sujeitos encaminhados à tireoidectomia. R Bras Qual Vida. 2015;7(4):230-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rbqv.v7n4.3204...
,2020 Koga MRV, Leite APD, Ribeiro VV. Voice-related quality of life in patients pre thyroidectomy. Rev CEFAC. 2015;18(5):1035-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201618516015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620161...
,2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...
). Although the symptom of dry throat has already been mentioned in other studies(88 Silva ICM, Netto IP, Vartanian JG, Kowalski LP, Angelis EC. Prevalence of upper aerodigestive symptoms in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with and without the use of intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring. Thyroid. 2012;22(8):814-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118. PMid:22780215.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118...
,2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...
), there is no clear justification in the literature to explain its occurrence in these patients. It is possible that inadequate hydration or vocal effort may be related to dry throat(2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...
), also cited as a symptom associated with adverse effects of voice-related medications(2525 Nemr K, Di Carlos Silva A, Rodrigues DA, Zenari MS. Medications and adverse voice effects. J Voice. 2018;32(4):515.e29-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.07.009. PMid:28822620.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2017....
). Although medications used by patients were not a controlled variable in this study, it should not be ruled out as a possible explanation for dry throat complaints.

It is also known that thyroid hormone receptors located in the lamina propria of human vocal folds control polysaccharide levels and thus regulate fluid retention therein, preventing edema(2626 Ritter FN. The effect of hypothyroidism on the larynx of the rat. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1964;73(2):404-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000348946407300212. PMid:14196683.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00034894640730...

27 Altman KW, Haines K 3rd, Vakkalanka SK, Keni SP, Kopp PA, Radosevich JA. Identification of thyroid hormone receptors in the human larynx. Laryngoscope. 2003;113(11):1931-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005537-200311000-00014. PMid:14603050.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005537-20031...
-2828 Kadakia S, Carlson D, Sataloff RT. The effect of hormones on the voice. J Sing. 2013;69:571-4.). Hence, it is assumed that the symptoms reported by the patients in this study may also be related to the hormonal dysregulation occurring in patients with thyroid disease.

As expected, the number of voice and swallowing symptoms was higher among those who rated their voice negatively. Those who rated swallowing or voice positively reported, on average, only one symptom. Therefore, results indicated that negative self-assessment of swallowing or voice before thyroidectomy is related to the presence of multiple symptoms.

The simultaneous presence of self-reported complaints of swallowing and voice drew even more attention because it occurred in approximately 30% of patients before surgery, a proportion ten times higher than that reported in the literature for the postoperative period(33 Sahli Z, Canner JK, Najjar O, Schneider EB, Prescott JD, Russell JO, et al. Association between age and patient-reported changes in voice and swallowing after thyroidectomy. Laryngoscope. 2019;129(2):519-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.27297. PMid:30194684.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.27297...
). This result reinforces that thyroid disease can cause cumulative effects on voice and swallowing functions. This way, investigation of these conditions should be incorporated into the preoperative clinical routine, considering the negative impact of these symptoms on the functionality and quality of life of patients with thyroid disease(11 Nam IC, Park YH. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;25(6):469-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000404. PMid:28759458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000...
,1010 Nam IC, Bae J, Shim M, Hwang Y, Kim M, Sun D. The importance of preoperative laryngeal examination before thyroidectomy and the usefulness of a voice questionnaire in screening. World J Surg. 2012;36(2):303-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1347-5. PMid:22083436.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-134...
,2020 Koga MRV, Leite APD, Ribeiro VV. Voice-related quality of life in patients pre thyroidectomy. Rev CEFAC. 2015;18(5):1035-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201618516015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620161...
).

It is noteworthy that the combined frequency of voice and swallowing complaints was approximately four times higher in participants who rated their voice as reasonable or poor. This association showed that the negative rating of voice seems to be more sensitive to detect the presence of combined voice and swallowing complaints. This means that if the patient referred for thyroidectomy is asked to rate his/her voice and the result is negative, he/she is more likely to have concomitant voice and swallowing symptoms. Thus, it is recommended that voice complaint be especially valued before thyroidectomy, as it may indicate the presence of multiple symptoms.

Overall, the results of this study corroborate that patient perception seems to be an important measure in swallowing(88 Silva ICM, Netto IP, Vartanian JG, Kowalski LP, Angelis EC. Prevalence of upper aerodigestive symptoms in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with and without the use of intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring. Thyroid. 2012;22(8):814-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118. PMid:22780215.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118...
,1212 Sabaretnam M, Mishra A, Chand G, Agarwal G, Agarwal A, Verma KA, et al. Assessment of swallowing function impairment in patients with benign goiters and impact of thyroidectomy: a case control study. World J Surg. 2012;36(6):1293-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-012-1562-8. PMid:22422173.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-012-156...
,1515 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.,1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
,2121 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...

22 Greenblatt DY, Sippel R, Leverson G, Frydman J, Schaefer S, Chen H. Thyroid resection improves perception of swallowing function in patients with thyroid disease. World J Surg. 2009;33(2):255-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9837-9. PMid:19034567.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-983...
-2323 Park YM, Oh KH, Cho JG, Baek SK, Kwon SY, Jung KY, et al. Changes in voice- and swallowing-related symptoms after thyroidectomy: one-year follow-up study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2018;127(3):171-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0003489417751472. PMid:29298509.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00034894177514...
) and voice(88 Silva ICM, Netto IP, Vartanian JG, Kowalski LP, Angelis EC. Prevalence of upper aerodigestive symptoms in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with and without the use of intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring. Thyroid. 2012;22(8):814-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118. PMid:22780215.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/thy.2011.0118...
,1010 Nam IC, Bae J, Shim M, Hwang Y, Kim M, Sun D. The importance of preoperative laryngeal examination before thyroidectomy and the usefulness of a voice questionnaire in screening. World J Surg. 2012;36(2):303-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1347-5. PMid:22083436.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-134...
,1515 Holler T, Anderson J. Prevalence of voice & swallowing complaints in pre-operative thyroidectomy patients: a prospective cohort study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(28):1-5. PMid:25017899.,1919 Pernambuco LA, Almeida MN, Matias KG, Costa EBMC. Voice assessment and voice-related quality of life in patients with benign thyroid disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1):116-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0194599814557468. PMid:25389320.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/01945998145574...

20 Koga MRV, Leite APD, Ribeiro VV. Voice-related quality of life in patients pre thyroidectomy. Rev CEFAC. 2015;18(5):1035-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201618516015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620161...

21 Araújo LF, Lopes LW, Silva POC, Perrusi VJF, Farias VLL, Azevedo EHMA. Sintomas sensoriais em pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia. CoDAS. 2017;29(3):e20150294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20172016294. PMid:28538821.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2017...

22 Greenblatt DY, Sippel R, Leverson G, Frydman J, Schaefer S, Chen H. Thyroid resection improves perception of swallowing function in patients with thyroid disease. World J Surg. 2009;33(2):255-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9837-9. PMid:19034567.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-983...
-2323 Park YM, Oh KH, Cho JG, Baek SK, Kwon SY, Jung KY, et al. Changes in voice- and swallowing-related symptoms after thyroidectomy: one-year follow-up study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2018;127(3):171-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0003489417751472. PMid:29298509.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00034894177514...
) assessment, as it can report subjective aspects not considered by the evaluator(1717 Pernambuco LA, Silva MP, Almeida MN, Costa EBM, Souza LBR. Autopercepção da deglutição em pacientes com doença benigna não cirúrgica. CoDAS. 2017;29(1):e20160020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20162016020. PMid:28273248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/2016...
,1919 Pernambuco LA, Almeida MN, Matias KG, Costa EBMC. Voice assessment and voice-related quality of life in patients with benign thyroid disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1):116-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0194599814557468. PMid:25389320.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/01945998145574...
). Based on the results, it can be inferred that swallowing and voice self-assessments should be considered in the care of patients referred for thyroidectomy, mainly because complaints in these two functions may appear concomitantly.

This study had some limitations. The sample from a single health service and the predominance of female participants represented selection bias. Variables such as medications used, results of biochemical and laryngological examinations, as well as more detailed information about tumor, nodule, or goiter characteristics were inconsistent in the database, making the analysis of this information unfeasible. Confounding variables such as laryngeal changes and medical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux may have interfered with the results and should be controlled in future studies. Future research should include larger samples and the association of self-assessment results with clinical and instrumental assessment of swallowing and voice prior to thyroidectomy.

CONCLUSION

The combined frequency of voice and swallowing complaints before thyroidectomy occurs in one third of patients and is more present among those who rate their voice as reasonable or poor.

Appendix 1 Checklist of symptoms and signs related to swallowing and voice

Swallowing No Yes Sometimes Always
Fatigue after eating
Odynophagia
Weight loss
Pneumonia
Choking after swallowing
Voice change after swallowing
Throat clearing after swallowing
Tiredness while eating
Runny nose after swallowing
Stop eating due to difficulty in swallowing
Swallowing effort
Multiple swallows
Voice
Sore throat
Throat clearing
Burning in the throat
Itchy throat
Dry throat
Tiredness while speaking
Speaking effort
Voice worsening during the day
Loss of voice during the day
Feel uncomfortable to speak

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  • Study carried out at Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB – João Pessoa (PB), Brasil.
  • Funding: None.
  • Study carried out at Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB – João Pessoa (PB), Brasil.
  • Funding: None.
  • Erratum

    In the article Combined frequency of patient-reported swallowing and voice complaints before thyroidectomy, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-6431-2019-2180, published in journal Audiology - Communication Research, 24:e2180, page 1:
    Where it reads:
    “Daniela de Souza Xavier”
    It should read:
    “Daniela Xavier de Souza”
    In the Authors’ contribution item:
    Where it reads:
    “DSX”
    It should read:
    “DXS”
    In the header:
    Where it reads:
    “Xavier DS”
    It should read:
    “Souza DX”

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    5 Dec 2019
  • Date of issue
    2019

History

  • Received
    24 Apr 2019
  • Accepted
    03 Sept 2019
Academia Brasileira de Audiologia Rua Itapeva, 202, conjunto 61, CEP 01332-000, Tel.: (11) 3253-8711, Fax: (11) 3253-8473 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
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