Dysphonia and other voice alterations associated with COVID-19: Systematic review

Abstract

Among the symptoms presented by patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection, we can find various otorhinolaryngological alterations. Dysphonia appears in up to 79% of infected patients during the acute phase. Dysphonia can also occur as a sequelae, often underestimated, possibly due to its appearance along with other symptoms, also in patients after prolonged intubation or tracheostomy. We present a systematic review of the literature with a bibliographic search in PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar, with MESH terms including studies in English and Spanish. The results of the studies found and the vocal manifestations in patients during COVID-19 disease and the consequences produced are analysed. Dysphonia is an acute manifestation of COVID-19 with alterations in aerodynamic and acoustic analysis and in fibrolaryngoscopy. Post-COVID dysphonia can be a persistent symptom that is often underestimated, requiring multidisciplinary management and speech therapy intervention. Laryngeal sequelae are common in post-intubation or post-tracheostomy patients and are related to intubation time, tube number, pronation and respiratory sequelae.