Examination of voice and swallowing characteristics in individuals with and without COPD

This study aims to evaluate voice and swallowing characteristics in individuals with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a multidimensional approach. A total of 55 participants were included: 29 individuals with COPD and 26 healthy controls. Data were collected in two stages. In the first stage, participants completed a demographic information form, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), GRBAS scale, and Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTDS). Additionally, the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale was administered to individuals with COPD. In the second stage, acoustic and aerodynamic measurements were obtained, and the Timed Water Swallow Test (TWST) was performed. Independent samples t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses were used. According to the findings, significant differences were found between COPD and healthy groups in fundamental frequency, jitter, and shimmer (p<0,05). In aerodynamic assessments, maximum phonation time differed significantly between groups (p<0,05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the s/z ratio (p >0,05). Significant differences were also found in EAT-10, VHI , GRBAS, and VTDS scores. Although swallowing capacity was reduced in the COPD group, this difference was not statistically significant. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between mMRC and maximum phonation time, as well as EAT-10, VTDS, and GRBAS (p <0,05), but not with VHI, swallowing functions, or the s/z ratio (p>0,05). No significant differences were observed according to GOLD stages (p>0,05). In conclusion, voice disorder-related findings were significantly more pronounced in the voice parameters of individuals with COPD, whereas subjective swallowing complaints were more pronounced in the swallowing parameters.