Validation of the European Portuguese Version of the Yale Pharyngeal Severity Rating Scale.

This study aimed to validate the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale's European Portuguese version and investigate the impact of rater experience. The scale measures the severity of residue in the vallecula and pyriform sinus. Ninety Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing images were selected after consensus and proposed to 13 raters who were asked to assess the severity of pharyngeal residue (PR) in each image in two moments with an interval of two weeks.

Laryngectomy: Phonation Alternatives and Their Impact on the Quality of Life.

Background The decision to consent to surgery is a life-changing moment. This study addresses the impact of total laryngectomy (TL) on phonation and its effect on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The primary objective of this cohort study is to compare the alternatives in phonation rehabilitation, and the secondary objective is to identify concurrent predictors of vocal outcomes.

Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis and Voice Therapy: Predictors of Long-Term Quality of Life.

To date, little is known about the long-term predictors of quality of life (QoL) in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the predictors of long-term QoL in UVFP patients submitted to voice therapy (VT) exclusively. Data from patients diagnosed with UVFP who followed a VT program between 2013 and 2019 were reviewed.

Stratifying Presbylarynx: Characterization of its Three Types.

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of each type of glottal configuration proposed in a classification that allows stratifying presbylarynx into three types: Type 0: there is no significant morphological alteration in glottal configuration. Type 1: two or more of the following endoscopic signs are present: atrophic vocal folds, vocal fold bowing, prominence of vocal processes, supraglottal hyperactivity, decreased amplitude (vocal fold edge stiffness without evidence of vocal post-traumatic scar), and tremor of laryngeal structures. Type 2: elderly patients with type 1 plus glottal insufficiency.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the European Portuguese Dysphagia Handicap Index.

The Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) is a valid Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) 25-item questionnaire assessing the physical, functional, and emotional aspects of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD), of heterogeneous etiologies. The purpose of this study is to translate and validate the European Portuguese-DHI (EP-DHI). This is a prospective study that was carried out at Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto).

Geriatric otorhinolaryngology: reasons for outpatient referrals from generalists to ENT specialists.

Purpose: To determine the main symptoms leading to referral of geriatric patients from primary care to otorhinolaryngology.

Methods:  Retrospective, observational study performed on patients aged 65 and older, referred from Primary Care to the Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery department of a tertiary centre during 2019 and 2020. Symptoms leading to otorhinolaryngological referral were categorized as "Oto-neurological symptoms", "Nasal symptoms", "Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms", "Other Head and Neck symptoms" and "Other Reasons".

Presbylarynx: validation of a classification based on morphological characteristics.

Purpose: Validation of a classification to stratify presbylarynx into three types.

Methods: Evaluate the reproducibility of this classification. 30 video recordings of rigid laryngostroboscopies were presented to 20 otorhinolaryngologists from five tertiary hospitals: 10 residents and 10 specialists.

Presbylarynx: How Easy Is It To Recognize The Aging Signs? A Prospective Study With Inter- And Intra-Rater Reliability In Laryngoscopic Evaluation.

Purpose: To determine if recognition of presbylarynx is easy and straightforward.

Method: First, a systematic review regarding the structural features of the geriatric larynx through laryngostroboscopy was performed, and its results were presented to the raters in an educational session. Then, video recordings of rigid laryngostroboscopies were randomly selected and presented to a panel of otorhinolaryngologists.

Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI): Validation in European Portuguese Children.

Objectives: To determine reliability and validity of the European Portuguese pVHI version (pVHI-EP).

Study Design: Cross-sectional design.

Methods: The pVHI-EP and the talkative and global voice assessment scales were administered to the caregivers of children aged from 3 to 16 years old with and without dysphonia.

Presbylarynx: Is It a Sign of the Health Status of the Elderly?

Purpose: Only a full understanding of how different diseases affect the same or different anatomical/functional entities, may provide a clue on how comorbidity should be taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic medical illnesses of an elderly population, in order to analyze potential correlation of specific comorbidities with presbylarynx.

Methods: This case-control, prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive subjects observed by otorhinolaryngology, in a tertiary center, from January to September 2020.

Presbylarynx: Is it Possible to Predict Glottal Gap by Cut-Off Points in Auto-Assessment Questionnaires?

Purpose: To determine cut-off points in auto-assessment questionnaires to predict the presence and extent of presbylarynx signs.

Method: This case control, prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive subjects observed by Otorhinolaryngology, in a tertiary center, in 2020. Each subject underwent fiberoptic videolaryngoscopy with stroboscopy, and presbylarynx was considered when it was identified two or more of the following endoscopic findings: vocal fold bowing, prominence of vocal processes in abduction, and a spindle-shaped glottal gap.

Swallowing and Communication Management of Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy in the Context of COVID-19: A Review.

Importance: The care of patients with a surgically modified airway, such as tracheostomy or laryngectomy, represents a challenge for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The objective was to review available publications and practice guidelines on management of tracheostomy and laryngectomy in the context of COVID-19. This study performed a review and synthesis of information available in the PubMed database and from national SLP organizations across 6 countries.

Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Dysphagia in Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2: A Review of the Literature and International Guidelines.

Purpose Speech-language pathologists are playing a crucial role in the assessment and management of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Our goal was to synthesize peer-reviewed literature and association guidelines from around the world regarding dysphagia assessment and management for this specific population. Method A review of publications available in the PubMed database and official guidelines of international groups was performed on May 23, 2020.

Effectiveness of voice therapy in patients with vocal fold nodules: a systematic search and narrative review.

Background/objective: An adult with vocal fold nodules can suffer from hoarseness, breathiness and vocal fatigue, which, in turn, significantly affects their vocal participation as well as activities. A well-designed voice therapy program improves the quality of life and vocal functionality. This is a narrative review with a systematic search of the current literature about the effectiveness of voice therapy interventions in adults with vocal fold nodules.

Efficacy of speech language therapy intervention in unilateral vocal fold paralysis - a systematic review and a meta-analysis of visual-perceptual outcome measures.

Objective: Unilateral vocal folds paralysis is a disorder that affects a patient's quality-of-life by disturbing their phonation, breathing, and swallowing activities. This systematic review aimed to estimate the efficacy of voice treatment on the vocal fold motility in adult patients with unilateral vocal folds paralysis.

Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched for retrospective and prospective cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional with comparative studies with adults that were published between 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2018.

Is there an improvement on acoustic voice parameters in patients with bilateral vocal fold nodules after voice therapy? a meta-analysis.

Background/objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of voice therapy intervention in adults with vocal fold nodules, on three acoustic voice parameters (fundamental frequency jitter and shimmer). The purpose of this meta-analysis is to present evidence based on literature regarding objective acoustic voice parameters changes, after voice therapy, in patients with bilateral VFNs. A pooled statistical analysis comparing pre- and post-therapy measurements of three acoustic voice parameters (average F0, % jitter and % shimmer) were performed.

Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis and Voice Therapy: Does Age Matter? A Prospective Study With 100 Consecutive Patients.

Objective: To use a multidimensional assessment to analyze potential influence of "aging" in the functional outcomes achieved by a group of patients with recent onset of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) who underwent voice therapy.

Design: Prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study.

Setting: Otolaryngology department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto.

Self-evaluation of communication experiences after laryngectomy (SECEL): translation and psychometric properties in European Portuguese.

The patients' perception of how communication dysfunction may cause a disadvantage is important information for the clinical decision-making process. This study aimed to translate the self-evaluation of communication experiences after laryngectomy (SECEL) to the European Portuguese (EP) and to assess its feasibility, acceptability, reliability, and validity. A cross-sectional study was carried out, and a cluster sample of seven ENT outpatient clinics was drawn.

Prevalence, Characterization, and Impact of Voice Disorders in Fado Singers.

Introduction: Fado is a genre of urban folk music from Portugal characterized by some particularities. Some indictions in the study point this population of singers to be at higher risk of developing voice disorders.

Aim: This study aims to provide estimates of the prevalence of voice disorders in Fado singers, and to characterize the professional practice and the impact of voice disorders on their careers.

Behavioral Profile of Children With Vocal Fold Nodules-A Case-control Study.

Objectives: The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the overall behavior of children with vocal fold nodules (VNs).

Methods: The study group included children with VNs between 4 and 15 years old diagnosed using fiberoptic video laryngoscopy with stroboscopy in a tertiary university hospital. As a control group, children between 4 and 13 years old without VNs, routinely followed up in a primary care facility, were included in the study.

Trends in Singing Voice Research: An Innovative Approach.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to trace and describe research patterns in singing voice, to compare the amount of published research over time, to identify journals that published most papers on "singing voice," and to establish the most frequent research topics.

Materials And Methods: The study uses qualitative and quantitative approaches through descriptive statistics, text mining, and clustering. The authors conducted a search to identify scientific papers.

Prevalence of Voice Disorders in Singers: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The study aimed to review the prevalence of self-reported voice disorders in singers.

Study Design: The study is a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic review of five major scientific databases was conducted.

Quality of life in patients submitted to total laryngectomy.

Background: Laryngeal carcinoma accounts for about 80 000 deaths annually worldwide. Despite its aggressiveness, total laryngectomy (TL) is a treatment option with curative intent. This article aims to evaluate its impact on these patients quality of life (QoL).