Unilateral vocal fold paralysis as an independent risk factor for depression: a cross-sectional study using BDI and...

This cross-sectional study investigated psychological profiles and voice characteristics in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) and other benign vocal fold disorders.

Patients diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2020 completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and voice assessments, including the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). We compared BDI and BAI scores between groups, explored correlations between BDI and voice parameters, and used logistic regression to identify predictors of moderate-to-severe depression (BDI ≥ 20), adjusting for age, sex, and disease duration.

UVFP patients had significantly higher BDI scores compared to those with other vocal disorders (p < 0.05). In the UVFP group, BDI scores were positively correlated with VHI-10 and selected voice measures. Moderate-to-severe depression was more prevalent among UVFP patients (27% vs. 23.4%), with marginal significance (p = 0.059). Logistic regression identified UVFP as an independent predictor of moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.14-10.60; p = 0.029), independent of age, sex, and disease duration.

UVFP is associated with greater psychological burden and independently predicts moderate-to-severe depression. These findings underscore the need for early psychological screening and comprehensive care in UVFP patients.