Acoustic Voice Analysis Findings in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Introduction:Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the sacroiliac joint and the vertebral column. It can also affect other organs. We aimed to evaluate the voice quality objectively in patients with AS.Methods:Forty-eight patients who were followed in physical therapy clinic with a diagnosis of AS were enrolled in the study. The control group included 18 healthy volunteers who did not have any voice problems or airway pathology. All patients underwent otorhinolaryngologic examination, laryngostroboscopic evaluation, acoustic voice analysis and pulmonary function test.Results:Of the 48 patients included in the study, 35 were males and 13 were females. Of the 18 healthy volunteers included in the control group, 14 were males and four were females. The mean ages of the patient and control groups were 38.8±9.79 and 44.17±9.85 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics. No cricoarytenoid joint involvement was observed in the patient group. The mean fundamental frequency (F0) value in the patient group was significantly lower than the control group (p=0.043), while Shimmer values (%) were significantly higher (p=0.008). Additionally, harmonics-to-noise-ratio and signal-to-noiseratio values were significantly lower in the patient group (p=0.032). No statistically significant difference was found in terms of other acoustic parameters.Conclusion:In our study, F0 in patients with AS was lower than the control group. This may be related to reduced respiratory capacity of patients with AS.

Keywords

• Acoustic voice analysis
• ankylosing spondylitis
• fundamental frequency