Clinical characteristics, etiologies, and factors associated with etiologies of hoarseness of voice among patients attending Muhimbili National Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Worldwide, hoarseness can affect people of various ages and genders. Identifying hoarseness causes involves gathering a comprehensive medical history of events leading to its onset and conducting a meticulous physical assessment. The latter could entail visualizing the vocal cords, potentially using techniques such as indirect laryngoscopy or flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy. Objectives: This study aims was to assess the clinical characteristics, etiologies, and factors associated with etiologies of hoarseness of voice among patients attending Muhimbili National Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at MNH from September 2023 to April 2024. After obtaining ethical clearance from IRB under Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science. The data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Patients' demography, clinical characteristics, and etiologies were reported using descriptive statistics. Chi-square (χ2) tests were used to examine associations between risk factors and etiologies as a factor associated with hoarseness of voice. Results: The study involved 171 patients at the ENT clinic, with a median age of 50 years (IQR;3,80). The male-to-female ratio was 1.14:1, smoking was reported in 40.9% while 31.6% consumed alcohol. Clinically, patients commonly experienced chronic cough (38.6%) and Globus sensation (64.3%). Laryngeal examination revealed fungating masses in 49.1% of cases and vocal cord papilloma in 17.5%. Significant associations were found between smoking, alcohol consumption, and laryngeal malignancies, with 87.1% of smokers and 85.2% of alcohol users affected (p=0.001). Neck surgery and intubation were linked to vocal cord paralysis (p=0.001). Conclusion: The study found that hoarseness of voice in patients was significantly associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, and certain medical histories like neck surgery and intubation. Most cases were linked to laryngeal malignancies, with notable laryngeal abnormalities observed. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions for high-risk groups.