The role of the autonomic nervous system in the development of hypotonic dysphonia

Background . Hypotonic dysphonia occupies a special place in the structure of functional dysphonia in terms of prevalence. At the same time, the autonomic nervous system has a significant impact on the course and outcome of the disease. However, data on the neurovegetative status of patients with hypotonic dysphonia in the scientific literature are extremely rare and do not fully reflect its features. Aim . To determine the neurovegetative status of laryngological patients with hypotonic dysphonia. Materials and methods . 26 patients (6 men and 20 women) with hypotonic dysphonia and hypersensitivity of the larynx (main group) and 45 patients (13 men and 32 women) with hypersensitivity of the larynx without signs of dysphonia (comparison group) were examined as a control, data on the functional state of the autonomic nervous system in 20 practically healthy people (5 men and 15 women) aged 18 to 25 years were used. The state of vegetative parameters – vegetative tone, vegetative reactivity and vegetative activity support – were evaluated using the medical diagnostic complex “Valenta”. The examination of patients included anamnestic analysis, objective examination of lororgans according to generally accepted methods and video stroboscopy of the larynx. Results . The differences between healthy and sick people regarding neurovegetative indicators are obvious, unidirectional and indicate the existence of autonomic disorders in both groups of patients. The ratios of vegetative parameters recorded during the study indicate the involvement of autonomic nervous system not only in the development of laryngeal hypersensitivity, but also in the pathogenesis of functional dysphonia of the hypotonic type. Conclusion . Thus, neurovegetative disorders – vegetative dystonia and autonomic dysfunction – are one of the factors of the pathogenesis of hypotonic dysphonia.