Prevalence of Nasal Obstruction in Patients with Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: The link between nasal obstruction and muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) has not been previously investigated despite the well-established relationship between respiratory and voice disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of nasal obstruction and sinonasal symptoms in patients with primary MTD.

Methods: Patients presenting to the Voice Unit at a tertiary referral center between July 2022 and October 2023 and diagnosed with primary MTD were recruited. The severity of nasal obstruction was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and sinonasal symptoms were assessed using the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire. A control group matched by age and gender, with no dysphonia and normal laryngeal examination was recruited.

Results: 65 patients, 31 with MTD and 34 controls, were enrolled. Nineteen patients of the study group (61.3%) had a VAS >4, i.e., moderate to severe nasal obstruction compared to only five in the control group (14.7%) (p < 0.001). Using the SNOT-22, 61.3% of patients with MTD had moderate to severe sinonasal symptoms as compared to only 5.9% of the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Patients with primary MTD are more likely to have nasal obstruction/sinonasal symptoms in comparison to patients with no dysphonia and normal laryngeal examination.