Work-Related Voice Disorder: Analysis of Factors Related to Individual Constitution, Environment and the Organization/Work Process


Introduction: Work-Related Voice Disorder (WRVD) is multifactorial 1,2,3,4,5. In Brazil, since 2023, health professionals need to report to health agencies when they receive a suspected case of WRVD. Due to the short time of mandatory communication, there are few data registered by the government1. Identification and notification of the risk factors are known as important actions to comprehend the theme, as well as essential for the development of educational, preventative and normative measures. Objective: investigate the presence of risk factors, and its association with vocal signs and/or symptoms, and with the degree of vocal deviation of professionals with WRVD. Method: quantitative study, transversal, and retrospective (from 2014 to 2024), approved by the Ethics Committee, (report 6.904.259). The data collected from the 177 participants, all over 18 years old, from both sexes, with WRVD related complaints, without neurological alterations, of a public health service. Perceptive-Auditive Judgement of voices was performed on all participants, with anonymized voices, by two speech therapists with expertise in voice. The data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance equal to 5% (p ≤ 0,05). Results: 70,1% (n=124) were women, on average 37,86 years old. 47,5% (n=84) were teachers The most referred risk factors were: excessive use of their voices 83,1% (n=147); need to speak in a louder tone 57,1% (n=101), allergies 52,9% (n=91), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 46,3% (n=82), noise 45,8% (n=81), and temperature contrast 33,3% (n=59). The signs and symptoms were: hoarseness 71,8% (n=127) and voice cracks 49,2% (n=87). There was a significant correlation between the vocal signs and symptoms with environmental, individual, and work organization causes with the degree of vocal deviation with the temperature contrast. Conclusion: The environmental, individual, and work organization factors positively correlate com auto referred signs and symptoms, and the degree of vocal deviation with the temperature contrast.

Cleonice
Diego
Ana Carolina
Antonioli
Martinho
Constantini