Relationship Between Voice Problems and Depression Among American Adults

Voice problems have a large impact on quality-of-life and societal participation. It has been previously reported that persons with voice problems have a higher likelihood of depression than those without voice problems. Despite this knowledge, little has changed in clinical practice related to screening for depression or incorporating the presence of depression in treatment planning. This study aims to provide an updated analysis of the prevalence of depressive symptoms in persons with voice disorders to elucidate the current magnitude of the relationship in hopes that this will provoke greater awareness of the co-occurrence of voice problems and depression and improve clinical care.

Cross-sectional design with a national survey.

None.

The study examined the 23,706 adults from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey database. A series of logistic regression models with propensity score matching approaches were used to examine the association between voice problems and depression by accounting for demographics and health conditions.

When comparing persons with and without voice problems, there were statistical differences in demographics and health conditions (all P < .05); however, those differences were balanced by propensity score matching methods (all P > .05). The balanced samples revealed that those with voice problems were approximately twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms (odds ratios ranged from 1.532 to 2.024, all P < .05) compared to those without voice problems. Depressive symptoms increased with the severity (P < .0001) and duration of the voice problem (P = .0328).

The study found robust associations between voice problems and depression within the current American adult population in 2022. To achieve optimal treatment outcomes, it is critical that the co-occurrence of voice problems and depression is understood, and that treatment planning addressed both conditions, when applicable.