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The effect of type 1 diabetes mellitus on voice in pediatric patients
Irfan Kara1, Fatih Temiz2, Adem Doganer3
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Kahramanmaraş Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. drirfankara@gmail.com.
Insights
This study investigated the voice effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children. While the acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) was higher in T1DM patients, no statistically significant differences were found, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition affecting children.
- The impact of T1DM on voice quality in pediatric patients remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of T1DM on voice parameters in children and adolescents.
- To compare voice characteristics between T1DM patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study involving 32 T1DM patients (aged 6-18) and 32 matched healthy controls.
- Flexible endoscopic laryngeal examination, voice recordings, Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10, and blood tests (FBG, HgbA1C) were performed.
- Acoustic analysis included fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI).
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between T1DM patients and controls in acoustic analysis, perturbation parameters, AVQI, or body mass index.
- The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) was numerically higher in the T1DM group, but this difference was not statistically significant.
- Maximum phonation time (MPT) and VHI scores showed no significant group differences.
Conclusions:
- This study, the first of its kind in pediatric T1DM patients, found no statistically significant voice alterations.
- A trend towards higher AVQI in T1DM patients warrants further investigation with larger sample sizes.
- The findings provide a basis for future research into T1DM's laryngeal and vocal effects in children.
Purpose:
The aim of this prospective case-control study was to determine the effect on the voice of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in paediatric patients.
Materials And Methods:
The study included patients aged 6-18 years followed up for at least 1 year because of T1DM, and a control group of age and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Following an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) examination, all subjects underwent flexible endoscopic laryngeal examination. Fasting venous blood samples were taken in the morning for the examination of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HgbA1C, and kidney, liver, and thyroid function tests. Data were recorded from the patient files of age, gender, comorbidities, and the development of diabetes-related complications. Voice recordings were taken and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10 form was completed. The patients and control group were compared in respect of the parameters of fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and acoustic voice quality index (AVQI).
Results:
Evaluation was made of 64 children and adolescents as 32 in the patient group (Group 1) and 32 healthy control subjects (Group 2). Group 1 comprised 17 females and 15 males with a mean age of 12.75 ± 3.23 years. Group 2 comprised 17 females and 15 males with a mean age of 12.75 ± 3.33 years. In Group 1, mean disease duration was 5.21 ± 3.17 years (range, 1-13 years), the FBG value was mean 216.6 ± 122.3 mg/dl, mean HgbA1c was 10.7 ± 2.8, as ≤ 7 in 4 patients, 7-9 in 4, and > 9 in 24. Maximum phonation time (MPT) was determined as 10.66 ± 3.6 secs in Group 1 and 12.11 ± 4.43 in Group 2. VHI was determined as 2.33 ± 3 in Group 1 and 2.31 ± 2.77 in Group 2. No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups was determined in respect of acoustic analysis, perturbation parameters, AVQI and body mass index.
Conclusions:
This study is the first to have investigated the effects of T1DM on the voice in paediatric patients. The study results showed that the AVQI value was higher in the patient group but not to a statistically significant level. Therefore, there is a need for further studies with larger samples. The current study can be of guidance for further studies in this field.
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