Speech Impairment in Primary Hypothyroidism

[Guest guest]

J Endocrinol Invest.

2011 Jun;34(6):431-3.

Speech impairment in primary

hypothyroidism.

Mohammadzadeh

A, Heydari

E, Azizi

F.

Source http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & dispmax=13 & list_uids=21750045,21750043,21747217,21737999,21745109,21745108,21745107,21745106,21745105,21745104,21745103,21745102,21745101 & dopt=AbstractPlus

Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute of Endocrine Sciences, Shahid

Beheshti University, (M.C.), Yaman street, Velenjak, P.O.Box. 19395-4763,

Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Thyroid

hormone deficiency may affect human speech and voice. The aim of this study was

to evaluate speech variables in patients with hypothyroidism.

DESIGN:

A

case control study.

PATIENTS:

One

hundred and twenty patients, 106 women and 14 men with symptoms and signs of

thyroid failure; the diagnosis was confirmed by serum T4<4.5 ìg/dl and serum

TSH>10 mU/l. Eighty-eight normal subjects, 78 women and 10 men, age-, sex-,

and smoking status- matched, served as controls.

MEASUREMENTS:

All

symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism were recorded. Serum T4, T3, and TSH

concentrations were measured. Speech parameters were analyzed by the Visipitch

III system model 3900 and multidimensional voice program software and compared

to a group of normal subjects with no thyroid disease.

RESULTS:

Mean

age was 35.9±11.4 yr. Dryness in larynx and pharynx, dyspnea, and sensation of

lump in the throat were reported by 53.49 and 43% of patients, respectively.

Fundamental frequency, voice turbulence index, and soft phonation index were

significantly different from control values. There was positive correlation

between TSH concentration and variation in fundamental frequency and prevalence

of voice disorders (37.2±31.2 vs 23.9±25.8 mU/l, p<0.003).

CONCLUSION:

Frequent

speech disturbances occur in patients with primary hypothyroidism.