Prevalence and Occupation of Patients Presenting With Dysphonia in the United States

Publication date: Available online 13 April 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Michael S. Benninger, Chantal E. Holy, Paul C. Bryson, Claudio F. Milstein
ObjectiveVoice disorders are common conditions that may have a significant impact on patient quality of life, yet their prevalence and epidemiology are poorly documented. In this study, we estimated the prevalence, demographics, and occupation of patients with dysphonia.MethodsUsing the Commercial and Medicare MarketScan databases of 146.7 million lives (2008–2012), the prevalence of dysphonia was estimated. Patient demographics and industry occupation were evaluated. Prevalence estimates overall and by industry were made using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Industry estimates were compared with US government employment statistics to assess differences between dysphonia and the general population.ResultsA gradual increase in the diagnosis of dysphonia was noted from 1.3% to 1.7% of the population from 2008 to 2012, with an associated increase in the diagnosis of acute laryngitis, the largest diagnostic category. A strong correlation was present between diagnosis and age, with acute laryngitis more common in the younger populations and malignancies in older ages. Benign neoplasms were more prevalent in the service industry, with 2.6 times increased likelihood compared with the general population, and malignancies were more prevalent in the manufacturing industry, with 1.4 times increased likelihood. Almost 3 million laryngoscopies and stroboscopies were performed with $900 million in costs.ConclusionPrevalence rates of the diagnosis of dysphonia are increasing and are associated with large healthcare costs. Prevalence rates also differ somewhat between industries, and there appears to be a higher percentage of malignant neoplasms in the manufacturing industry and benign neoplasms in the service industry.



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The Effect of Optokinetic Stimulation on Perceptual and Postural Symptoms in Visual Vestibular Mismatch Patients.

Related Articles

The Effect of Optokinetic Stimulation on Perceptual and Postural Symptoms in Visual Vestibular Mismatch Patients.

PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0154528

Authors: Van Ombergen A, Lubeck AJ, Van Rompaey V, Maes LK, Stins JF, Van de Heyning PH, Wuyts FL, Bos JE

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vestibular patients occasionally report aggravation or triggering of their symptoms by visual stimuli, which is called visual vestibular mismatch (VVM). These patients therefore experience discomfort, disorientation, dizziness and postural unsteadiness.
OBJECTIVE: Firstly, we aimed to get a better insight in the underlying mechanism of VVM by examining perceptual and postural symptoms. Secondly, we wanted to investigate whether roll-motion is a necessary trait to evoke these symptoms or whether a complex but stationary visual pattern equally provokes them.
METHODS: Nine VVM patients and healthy matched control group were examined by exposing both groups to a stationary stimulus as well as an optokinetic stimulus rotating around the naso-occipital axis for a prolonged period of time. Subjective visual vertical (SVV) measurements, posturography and relevant questionnaires were assessed.
RESULTS: No significant differences between both groups were found for SVV measurements. Patients always swayed more and reported more symptoms than healthy controls. Prolonged exposure to roll-motion caused in patients and controls an increase in postural sway and symptoms. However, only VVM patients reported significantly more symptoms after prolonged exposure to the optokinetic stimulus compared to scores after exposure to a stationary stimulus.
CONCLUSIONS: VVM patients differ from healthy controls in postural and subjective symptoms and motion is a crucial factor in provoking these symptoms. A possible explanation could be a central visual-vestibular integration deficit, which has implications for diagnostics and clinical rehabilitation purposes. Future research should focus on the underlying central mechanism of VVM and the effectiveness of optokinetic stimulation in resolving it.

PMID: 27128970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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The Effect of Optokinetic Stimulation on Perceptual and Postural Symptoms in Visual Vestibular Mismatch Patients.

Related Articles

The Effect of Optokinetic Stimulation on Perceptual and Postural Symptoms in Visual Vestibular Mismatch Patients.

PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0154528

Authors: Van Ombergen A, Lubeck AJ, Van Rompaey V, Maes LK, Stins JF, Van de Heyning PH, Wuyts FL, Bos JE

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vestibular patients occasionally report aggravation or triggering of their symptoms by visual stimuli, which is called visual vestibular mismatch (VVM). These patients therefore experience discomfort, disorientation, dizziness and postural unsteadiness.
OBJECTIVE: Firstly, we aimed to get a better insight in the underlying mechanism of VVM by examining perceptual and postural symptoms. Secondly, we wanted to investigate whether roll-motion is a necessary trait to evoke these symptoms or whether a complex but stationary visual pattern equally provokes them.
METHODS: Nine VVM patients and healthy matched control group were examined by exposing both groups to a stationary stimulus as well as an optokinetic stimulus rotating around the naso-occipital axis for a prolonged period of time. Subjective visual vertical (SVV) measurements, posturography and relevant questionnaires were assessed.
RESULTS: No significant differences between both groups were found for SVV measurements. Patients always swayed more and reported more symptoms than healthy controls. Prolonged exposure to roll-motion caused in patients and controls an increase in postural sway and symptoms. However, only VVM patients reported significantly more symptoms after prolonged exposure to the optokinetic stimulus compared to scores after exposure to a stationary stimulus.
CONCLUSIONS: VVM patients differ from healthy controls in postural and subjective symptoms and motion is a crucial factor in provoking these symptoms. A possible explanation could be a central visual-vestibular integration deficit, which has implications for diagnostics and clinical rehabilitation purposes. Future research should focus on the underlying central mechanism of VVM and the effectiveness of optokinetic stimulation in resolving it.

PMID: 27128970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Success of sensory cell regeneration raises hope for hearing restoration

In an apparent first, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have used genetic manipulation to regenerate auditory hair cells in adult mice.

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Success of sensory cell regeneration raises hope for hearing restoration

In an apparent first, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have used genetic manipulation to regenerate auditory hair cells in adult mice.

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Success of sensory cell regeneration raises hope for hearing restoration

In an apparent first, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have used genetic manipulation to regenerate auditory hair cells in adult mice.

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A non-toxic dose of cobalt chloride blocks hair cells of the zebrafish lateral line

Publication date: Available online 12 April 2017
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): William J. Stewart, Jacob L. Johansen, James C. Liao
Experiments on the flow-sensitive lateral line system of fishes have provided important insights into the function and sensory transduction of vertebrate hair cells. A common experimental approach has been to pharmacologically block lateral line hair cells and measure how behavior changes. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) blocks the lateral line by inhibiting calcium movement through the membrane channels of hair cells, but high concentrations can be toxic, making it unclear whether changes in behavior are due to a blocked lateral line or poor health. Here, we identify a non-toxic treatment of cobalt that completely blocks lateral line hair cells. We exposed 5-day post fertilization zebrafish larvae to CoCl2 concentrations ranging from 1-20 mM for 15 minutes and measured 1) the spiking rate of the afferent neurons contacting hair cells and 2) the larvae’s health and long-term survival. Our results show that a 15-minute exposure to 5 mM CoCl2 abolishes both spontaneous and evoked afferent firing. This treatment does not change swimming behavior, and results in >85% survival after 5 days. Weaker treatments of CoCl2 did not eliminate afferent activity, while stronger treatments caused close to 50% mortality. Our work provides a guideline for future zebrafish investigations where physiological confirmation of a blocked lateral line system is required.



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