Psychological Charateristics of Patients with Vocal Nodules: An Investigation Using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision

Jin, Sung Min; Ban, Jae Ho; Lee, Sang Hyuk; Kwon, Kee Hwan; Lee, Kyung Chul; Lee, Yong Bae; Huh, Myo Yeon; Oh, Kang Seob

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Nodules of vocal cords are considered to be tissue reactions to chronic mechanical irritation such as vocal misuse or abuse. Psychological factors related to the development of the vocal nodules have been documented in the literatures. The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychological characteristics of the patients with vocal nodules and find the relationship between the characteristics and the development of the vocal nodules.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The patient group consisted of 41 house-wives with vocal nodules (mean age 35.7+/-10.4 years) who visited the department of otolaryngology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from July 1997 to May 1998. The control group consisted of 35 house-wives who didn't have any vocal pathology (mean age 34.6+/-9.1 years). All the subjects completed the questionnaires related to the voice disorder and SCL-90-R, a widely used psychopathology test. The scores of SCL-90-R of the patient group were compared with those of the control group. The scores of the patient group with less than 1 year duration (acute) and more than 1 year duration (chronic) were also compared with those of the controls.
RESULTS
The total patient group differed statistically from the control group on 7 neurotic scales (p<0.001) and 1 psychotic scales (p<0.05). The acute patient group differed on 2 neurotic scales (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
We suggest that the neurotic traits found in the acute patients group may have a role in the development of vocal nodules. The scales found in the total patients group may indicate changes in the psychological characteristics that follow voice change. Thus, psychological characteristics play an important role in the pathogenesis of vocal nodules and warrant more attention to the psychological, emotional aspect of patients in order to treat and prevent these vocal nodules.