Perception of Voice and Swallowing Difficulties in Parkinson's Disease: A Correlational Analysis

Parkinson's disease (PD) can affect voice and swallowing from early stages, with relevant functional consequences. However, evidence on the relationship between self-perceived difficulties in these domains and motor impairment remains scarce in Chile.

To analyze the relationship between self-perceived voice difficulties, self-perceived swallowing difficulties, and motor impairment severity in individuals with PD.

An observational, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 29 individuals with idiopathic PD recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling in Temuco, Chile. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), and Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS-III) were administered. Descriptive analyses, Pearson correlations, and partial correlations controlling for age were performed.

The EAT-10 showed a mean score of 6.62 (SD = 7.54), and 34.5% of participants scored ≥ 7. The VHI-30 showed a mean score of 28.97 (SD = 29.49), with higher scores in the physical and functional domains. Significant bivariate correlations were observed among VHI-30, EAT-10, and MDS-UPDRS-III. After controlling for age, only the association between VHI-30 and EAT-10 remained statistically significant.

Greater self-perceived voice difficulties were associated with greater self-perceived swallowing difficulties, independently of age. Associations with motor impairment appeared to be influenced by age, highlighting the need to consider this variable when interpreting self-reported bulbar symptoms in PD.