The study of speech disorders in patients suffering from hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism may cause symptoms and disorders in different parts of the body which can lead to speech disorders. This research was done to recognize and identify speech disorders in patients with Hypothyroidism.

This descriptive study was done on 120 subjects with hypothyroidism, with T4 <4.5 μg/dL and TSH >4mU/L. Members of the study team interviewed all subjects, performed a complete physical examination and documented the data on a pre-designed questionnaire. Voice parameters analysis was completed by MDVP soft ware. All data was statistically analyzed. Spearman correlation coefficient was used for quantitative variables and Mann Whitney and chi square tests for qualitative variables.

One-hundred and six patients were females. The prevalence of different speech disorders was as follows: Voice disorders 81 %, Stuttering 11%, Articulation disorders 6%, Hyper nasality 6%. There was a significant decrease in basal frequency, (P<0/001), and a low voices, (bass), was present in 60% of these patients. There was also abnormal increase in most parameters of voice in studied subjects. Dryness of the laryngopharyngeal region was a common complaint, (53%). Prevalence of sensory and auditory signs was more common in women, (P<0.001). Globus sensation was reported only in women and stuttering was more common in men. Voice disorder was the only speech disorder that was directly related to the elevation of TSH level, (p < 0.003).

Voice disorder is the most common speech disorder in hypothyroid patients and may be helpful in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Voice disorders are more common in women. Stuttering is prevalent in hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism is an important cause of speech disorders.