Voice Analysis in Chronic Renal Failure Patients

Aim: Voice analysis in patients in chronic renal failure patients. Objectives:Voice assessment of patients on chronic hemodialysis based on voice handicap index.Voice assessment of patients on chronic hemodialysis based on acoustic parameters: Correlation between acoustic parameters and renal function tests of patients on chronic hemodialysis.Materials and methods: This is a prospective observational study including 25 patients aged between 20 and 60 years, on dialysis for a period of more than 6 months.Assessment of voice was done based on voice handicap index and acoustic parameters (Fo, jitter%, shimmer%, harmonic-to-noise ratio, mean phonatory duration).Acoustic parameters were compared with those of the control group.Results: Our study showed a significantly higher jitter% and shimmer% values and a low harmonic-to-noise ratio and mean phonatory duration values when compared with control group which signaled the effect of hemodialysis on voice parameters.From our study, we also inferred a correlation between serum creatinine and the various acoustic parameters.Conclusion: Voice analysis can be used as a noninvasive screening method to detect changes in the voice of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.