[Functional dysphonia and benign vocal cord lesions in professional voice users].

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of benign vocal cord lesions (VC-BL) among patients diagnosed with functional dysphonia and to explore their associations with job performance as professional voice users (PVUs).

Methods: A case series of 132 patients diagnosed with functional dysphonia. Direct videolaryngoscopy was performed to objectively document the presence of VC-BL. Information on occupation, sociodemographic variables and non-occupational risk factors was collected.We performed a descriptive analysis of the series, and stratified results by occupational exposure variables (PVU and Non-PVU) and sex.We explored bivariate associations between the presence of VC-BL and the other variables.

Results: Patients were mainly women (58.3%), with a mean age and standard deviation of 48 ±13 years; 40% were PVUs. Forty-seven percent of all patients had evidence of VC-BL. The most prevalent lesions were polyps and/or nodules (29%). PVUs with functional dysphonia showed a higher prevalence of VC-BL (57%) than Non-PVUs (40%). PVUs showed an increased risk of VC-BL (crude prevalence odds ratio [cPOR]=1.48; 95CI%=0.74-2.98), mainly with polyps/nodules (cPOR=1.77; 95%CI=0.82-3.78) and chronic laryngitis (cPOR=2.31; 95%CI=0.37-14.32). Smoking was significantly associated with an increased risk of polyps and/or nodules in the entire patient population (cPOR=2.95; 95%CI=1.33-6.53).

Conclusions: Performing a job as PVU was associated with an increased risk of VC-BL, mainly polyps/nodules and chronic laryngitis. Occupational health services should always evaluate this risk when the voice is a primary working tool, in order to implement early preventive measures.