Alteração vocal em idosos ativos e fatores associados

Abstract

To verify suspected vocal alterations in active elderly and its association with sociodemographic, voice-related lifestyle habits and vocal handicap aspects. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study conducted with 254 elderly users of public health gyms in Belo Horizonte municipality. Data collection included an interview containing sociodemographic information, voice-related life habits and hoarseness self-report, in addition to the application of protocols: vocal handicap index (IDV-10) and screening for voice disorders (RAVI in Portuguese). The result of RAVI was considered the outcome variable. The data were subject to descriptive and association analysis using Pearson’s Chi-square and Poisson Regression tests with Robust variance (5% significance level). Results: It was found that the majority of the elderly are female (83.5%), aged 60 to 70 years (65.4%), retired (84.9%) and without a partner (61.8%). According to the RAVI protocol, 44.5% of them are suspected of voice alteration. Through multivariate analysis, the self-reported variables of hoarseness and vocal handicap showed association with suspected vocal changes measured by RAVI. Conclusion: The vocal alteration suspicion was high in the elderly actives. The suspicion of vocal alteration was higher among the elderly with self-reported hoarseness and with vocal handicap.