Correlation between dysphonia and dysphagia evolution in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

Materials and methods: Between March 2017 and February 2018, 27 newly diagnoses patients (about 2 months) were examined in the ENT Clinic of our University Hospital. The bulbar-onset of ALS was diagnosed by neurologists.

Results: According to the endoscopic and clinical results, patients were classified in 4 classes of dysphagia. Laryngology and speech pathology assessment with spectroacuostic analysis of speech using Praat software are fundamental for the proper evaluation of dysphonia of these patients. This study was the first attempt to find a vocal indicator of advancement in swallowing dysfunction in the patient population of ALS. Preliminary findings indicate that the reduction in the maximum fundamental frequency is associated with advancement of dysphagia.

Conclusions: Monitoring the vocal parameters could be useful in order to give an early rehabilitation aid to these patients improving their quality of life and reducing aspiration risks.