Dysphonia at the Douala Military Hospital of the Region N°2 : epidemiological, aetiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects from 2013 to 2022

Abstract

Introduction. Dysphonia is an alteration of the voice in terms of pitch, intensity, timber or their combinations. The aim of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of this pathological symptom.

Materials and methods. This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, carried out in the ENT departments at the Regional Military Hospital number 2 of Douala over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2022. Variables studied were: age, sex, occupation, history, symptoms and therapeutic aspects.

Results. We identified 195 patients. The average age of patients was 43.2 years, with a peak between 40 and 50 years. Women predominated (61%), with a sex ratio of 0.62. Alcohol and tobacco abuse were the main risk factors, accounting for 25.1% and 15.9% of cases respectively. The occupational groups most affected were employees in the informal sector (40%), followed by voice professionals (teachers, journalists, singers, priests) in 21% of cases. The main symptom associated with dysphonia was dysphagia (11.8%), followed by dyspnea (6.7%). The primary etiology of dysphonia was chronic laryngitis in 53.9% of cases.

Conclusion. Dysphonia may be the only telltale sign of a serious pathology such as laryngeal cancer, hence the need to consult a specialist as soon as it appears, especially in ethylo-tobacco addicts.