Impact on voice among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in BANGLADESH

Abstract

COPD is one of the leading causes of death in Bangladesh, with a notable increase in incidence. There are large number of COPD patients who are suffering from voice problem and after all they face problem in their quality of life. Many COPD patients suffers from voice disorder but still there is no study in Bangladesh which explains voice disorder among COPD patients. This study aimed to assess the impact on voice among COPD patients in Bangladesh by measuring the prevalence, severity, and associated factors of voice disorders. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 169 COPD patients at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), and the 250 Bedded TB Hospital in Dhaka. Data were collected using the Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30) questionnaire via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data with SPSS version 20. Among the participants, 48.5% reported moderate voice problems, 50.3% had no significant issues, and 1.2% experienced severe voice disorders. The physical domain showed the most frequently reported symptoms, such as running out of air and creaky voice. Significant associations were found between voice disorder severity and the frequency of vocal use (p < 0.05). However, no significant relationships were observed with gender, age, living status, smoking habits, or duration of COPD. Voice disorders are notably prevalent among COPD patients in Bangladesh, with nearly half experiencing moderate voice impairment. These findings emphasize the need for integrating voice assessment and Speech & Language Therapy into COPD rehabilitation programs. Early recognition and targeted intervention may improve communication outcomes and enhance the overall quality of life for this population. Keywords: Voice disorder, COPD, Quality of life, VHI-30, Speech & language therapy, Impact, Bangladesh