A Multimodal Study of Vocal Function in Individuals With Asthma Versus Controls: An Exploratory Investigation

Purpose: Changes in vocal function and vocal fold tissue appearance are frequently described for individuals diagnosed with asthma, a population at a higher risk for voice disorder; however, the extent to which laryngeal tissue and voice function in individuals with asthma not reporting voice impairment differs from individuals without asthma is largely unstudied. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the laryngeal, acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual differences in individuals diagnosed with asthma who take a daily inhaler without self-reported voice disorder compared to controls. Method: In a prospective, multimodality, between-group study design, videolaryngostroboscopic imaging, acoustic data, aerodynamic measures, and perceptual ratings were collected from 15 consented participants (aged 20–29 years), five with asthma who took inhaled corticosteroids daily and 10 controls. Results: Higher presence of erythematous coloration, vascularity, and mucus was described in the group with asthma when compared with controls. Phonation threshold pressure was higher in individuals with asthma than controls. Voice Handicap Index scores were higher in individuals with asthma, with no group differences identified for the Rating-of-Fatigue Scale or OMNI Vocal Effort Scale. Differences in acoustic parameters and Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice rating of overall severity were not identified. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory investigation partially supported the hypotheses that laryngeal appearance and vocal function would differ in individuals with asthma who regularly take inhaled corticosteroids but deny voice disorder when compared to controls. Further study is needed.