Preoperative Vocal Characteristics of Female Patients With Thyroid Disorders

This study aimed to investigate the preoperative voice-related outcomes in female patients with thyroid disorders and reveal the possible clinical factors affecting vocal quality.

A prospective case-control study was conducted with a total of 72 participants. The study group (SG) consisted of 24 preoperative female subjects with thyroid disorders (mean ± age, 42.96 ± 13.71 years) and the control group (CG) consisted of 48 normophonic subjects (mean ± age, 42.85 ± 9.61 years). Acoustic [mean F0, jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), cepstral peak prominence-smoothed (CPPS)], auditory-perceptual (G parameter of Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain (GRBAS) scale), and maximum phonation time (MPT) outcomes were compared between the groups. Additionally, the study examined the association between vocal outcomes and various clinical factors, including the final diagnosis based on surgical pathology, preoperative ultrasound characteristics (nodule localization, largest nodule size, and thyroid volume), and thyroid specimen weight following postoperative histologic examination.

All acoustic parameters (except for HNR) were significantly deteriorated in the SG than in the CG (P < 0.05). Auditory-perceptual comparisons revealed a significantly higher G score of GRBAS in SG than in CG (P < 0.001). However, no significant differences were obtained between the SG and CG for MPT. There was no association between the voice-related measurements and the clinical factors, including final diagnosis, nodule localization, largest nodule size, thyroid volume, and thyroid specimen weight.

Female patients with thyroid disorders may have deviated vocal quality before surgery. A comprehensive voice assessment is recommended to identify dysphonia and enhance treatment outcomes in this population.