The Effect of Subjective Voice and Swallowing Difficulties on Anxiety after Thyroid Surgery: A Correlational Study

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of subjective voice and swallowing difficulties on the anxiety in patients following thyroid surgery. This study was a correlational study. A sample of 144 patients (75% female, 40.3% age range 41-55 years) completed the measures, including the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), the Swallowing Impairment Score (SIS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S). Measures were assessed at baseline, at 24 h and postoperative day 7 to assess perioperative changes. A positive significant correlation was found among the VHI-10, the SIS and the STAI-S scores at both the 24th hour and the 7th postoperative day (P<0.001). Female gender and subjective swallowing difficulty emerged as significant predictors for state anxiety measured 24 h postoperatively (β=3.620, P=0.031; β=0.451; P<0.001). Subjective swallowing difficulty was found to significantly account for 12.8% of the variance in anxiety levels on the 7th postoperative day (F=20.826; P<0.001; R²=0.128). State anxiety levels were also associated with both subjective voice and swallowing difficulties at both time points. This study findings highlight the importance of monitoring swallowing function after thyroidectomy is essential not only for physical recovery but also for maintaining psychological well-being.