Parameters Used For Objective Acoustic Vocal Analysis In Paediatric Patients with Bronchiectasis

Abstract

Objectives:Bronchiectasis typically manifests with persistent coughing, pus-filled discharge, lethargy, dyspnoea, sternal pain, haemoptysis and dilated airways. Such symptoms can adversely affect the quality of life and voice characteristics of sufferers from bronchiectasis. This study had as its objective the objective comparison of vocal differences between healthy children and those with bronchiectasis.

Methods:The parameters examined were jitter, percentage jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR), voice turbulence index (VTI), and soft phonation index (SPI). Data from the cases and controls were compared by means of paired t-tests.

Results:The mean age for the cases was 11.53 years. In terms of absolute jitter, percentage jitter, shimmer and SPI, no differences were detected at the level of statistical significance. However, the NHR and VTI did differ between cases and controls at the level of statistical significance.

Conclusion: The research reveals that a holistic approach has an influence on patient outcomes. Sufferers from bronchiectasis experience vocal alterations, especially with respect to NHR and VTI, the values of which were raised in comparison with healthy controls.

Keywords

• Acoustic analysis,voice,hoarseness

References

1. 1- King P1, Holdsworth S, Freezer N, Holmes P. Bronchiectasis. Intern Med J. 2006;36:729-37.
2. 2- Goeminne P, Dupont L. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: diagnosis and management in 21st century. Postgrad Med J 2010;86:493-501.
3. 3- Chang AB, Redding GJ, Everard ML. State of the Art: Chronic wet cough: protracted bronchitis, chronic suppurative lung disease and bronchiectasis. Pediatric Pulmonology 2008;43:519–31.
4. 4- Chang AB, D Bilton. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis exacerbations. Thorax 2008;63:269–76.
5. 5- Gursel G. Does coexistence with bronchiectasis influence intensive care unit outcome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?. Heart & Lung 2006;35: 58–65.
6. 6- King PT, Holdsworth SR, Freezer NJ, Villanueva E, Holmes PW. Characterisation of the onset and presenting clinical features of adult bronchiectasis. Respir Med 2006;100:2183–2189
7. 7- Nicotra MB, Rivera M, Dale AM, Shepherd R, Carter R. Clinical, pathophysiologic, and microbiologic characterization of bronchiectasis in an aging cohort. Chest 1995;108:955–961
8. 8- Hsiao T, Liu C, Hsu C, Lin K. Vocal fold abnormalities in laryngeal tension-fatigue syndrome. J Formosan Med Assoc. 2001;100:837–40.

9. 9- Vertigan A, Theodoros D, Gibson P, Winkworth A. Voice and upper airway symptoms in people with chronic cough and paradoxical vocal fold movement. J Voice. 2007;21:361-83.
10. 10- Rolla G, Colagrande P, Magnano M, Debermardi V, Dutto L, Delpiano L, et al. Extrathoracic airway dysfunction in cough associated with gastroesophageal reflux. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1998;102:1–11.
11. 11- Niedzelska G. Acoustic analysis in the diagnosis of voice disorders in children. Inter J pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2001;60:119-122.
12. 12- Mora R, Crippa B, Dellepiane M, Jankowska B. Effects of adenotonsillectomy on speech spectrum in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;71:1299-1304.
13. 13- Smith J, Rey G, Dickens P, Fletcher N, Hollemberg L, Wolfe J. Vocal tract resonances and the sound of the Australian didjeridu (yidaki). III. Determinants of playing quality. J Acoust Soc Am. 2007;121:547-58.
14. 14- Bhuta T, Patrick L, Garnett JD. Perceptual evaluation of voice quality and its correlation with acoustic measurements. J Voice. 2004;18:299-304.
15. 15- Pontes PAL, Vieira VP, Goncalves MIR, Pontes AAL. Characteristics of hoarse, rough and normal voices: acoustic spectrographic comparative analysis. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol 2002; 68: 182-8.
16. 16- Hodge FS, Colton RH, Kelley RT. Vocal intensity characteristics in normal and elderly speakers. J Voice 2001;15: 503–511.
17. 17- Hamdam AL, Sibai A, Rameh C, Kanazeh G. Short-Term Effects of Endotracheal Intubation on Voice. J Voice 2007;21:762-8.