Abstract
Bulimia is an eating disorder classified as a mental disorder according to DSM-IV. AimsThe aim of the study was to evaluate vocal and laryngeal abnormalities in patients with bulimia compared to a control group. Materials & methodsStudy control group. Twenty-two women were evaluated, with an age range of 18 to 34 years old. Eleven diagnosed with purging bulimia and 11 in the control group. Both groups underwent an otolaryngological, perception and acoustic evaluation. The statistic analysis was done through a chi-square test and a Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric test, considering 5% as significance level. ResultsThe bulimic group presented a higher prevalence of laryngeal abnormalities compared to the control group (p=0.000). The group with bulimia had higher GRBSI values (p=0.000) and A (p=0.022) of the GRBASI scale. The results of vocal acoustics analysis of the jitter, shimmer, PPQ and APQ were higher in the bulimic group (p=0.033). No statistical significance difference in the fundamental frequency and NHR were found between both groups. Conclusionthe bulimic patients in this study presented more laryngeal, acoustics and perception evaluation disorders when compared to a control group.
Highlights
Bulimia is a mental disorder usually characterized by the compulsive and fast ingestion of large quantities of food, followed by inadequate measures to avoid weight gain and a morbid fear of gaining weight
The bulimic group presented a higher prevalence of laryngeal abnormalities compared to the control group (p=0.000)
Conclusion: the bulimic patients in this study presented more laryngeal, acoustics and perception evaluation disorders when compared to a control group
Summary
Bulimia is a mental disorder usually characterized by the compulsive and fast ingestion of large quantities of food, followed by inadequate measures to avoid weight gain and a morbid fear of gaining weight. A study carried out with three patients who used their voices professionally, diagnosed with bulimia and with vocal complaints, showed the following results pursuant to their ENT exam: mild-to-moderate dysphonia; laryngeal changes (laryngeal micro-diaphragm; subepithelial hemorrhage, mucosal wave reduction, hyperemia, superficial telangiectasia and polypoid degeneration). Based on these findings, the authors decided to carry out a study in order to assess the influence of vomiting as a cause of vocal and laryngeal changes in patients with bulimia. Speech disorders found immediately after vomiting were: hoarseness and a lower fundamental frequency[2]
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