Functional impact of nodules: A case-comparison study

Patients diagnosed with nodules (NO = 40) in a large university hospital cl inic and an age-stratum matched nondiseased group (ND = 200) described adve rse outcomes of vocal impairment on work and work-related communications. N Os were significantly more likely than NDs to report symptoms of hoarseness (73% vs. 26%), high-note difficulty (70% vs, 20%), difficulty speaking: wi th a lower voice (53% vs, 13%) and a tired voice (50% vs. 10%), and their g reatest source of physical discomfort was associated with scratchiness (61% vs. 3%). The average number of symptoms was four in NOs and less than one in NDs. Nodule patients were most concerned about the effects their voice p roblem would have on their future career (78% vs. 24%) and 49% of NOS repor ted their voice problem had an adverse work effect in the past compared wit h 4% of NDs. Having a voice condition limited current job performance in 39 % of the NO group but only in 2% of the ND group, The results suggest that a diagnosis of nodules plays a major role in disrupting careers and work ac tivities and that available educational programs and additional research ar e needed for improving their functional ability and preventing adverse outc omes in the lives of individuals with voice disorders.