Anxiety and depression in spasmodic dysphonia patients

Experts used to believe that spasmodic dysphonia (SD) was a psychogenic disorder. Although SD is now established as a neurological disorder, the rates of co-morbid anxiety and depression range from 7.1% to 62%. Our objective was to study the prevalence and risk factors associated with these mood disorders in SD patients.

Retrospective.

SD patients who presented for botulinum toxin injections were recruited. Demographic data, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), General Self-Efficacy scale (GSES), Disease Specific Self-Efficacy in Spasmodic Dysphonia scale (DSSE), and Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) were collected.

One hundred and forty two patients (age (59.2 ± 13.6) years, 25.4% male) had VHI-10 of 26.3 ± 6.9 (mean ± standard deviation), GSES 33.2 ± 5.8, CAPE-V 43.9 ± 20.9, HADS anxiety 6.7 ± 3.7, and HADS depression 3.6 ± 2.8. About 19 (13.4%) and 4 (2.8%) had symptoms of anxiety and depression respectively. Final linear regression model for HADS anxiety (R² = 32.90%) showed that patients who were less likely to have anxiety symptoms were older age (p < 0.001), male (p = 0.002), have higher GSES (p < 0.001) and lower VHI-10 (p = 0.004). Final linear regression model for HADS depression score (R² = 34.42%) showed that patients who were less likely to have depressive symptoms had high DSSES (p < 0.001).

Prevalence of anxiety (13.4%) and depression (2.8%) in SD were lower than previously reported in the literature. Risk factors for anxiety were: younger age, female gender, lower general self-efficacy, and higher perceived vocal handicap. The main risk factor for depression was lower disease specific self-efficacy.