Vocal Signs and Symptoms Related to COVID-19 and Risk Factors for their Persistence.
Ana Paula Dassie-Leite, Tatiane Prestes Gueths, Vanessa Veis Ribeiro and 3 others
PMID 34583881WHAT IT FOUND
People recovering from mild to moderate COVID-19 reported more vocal symptoms than before infection.
Voice fatigue and dry throat persisted in many. Oxygen therapy use was linked to higher symptom scores after recovery.
Key findings
01Self-reported vocal symptoms were significantly higher during and after COVID-19 compared to before infection.
02Voice fatigue and dry throat were the most common symptoms reported during and after the acute illness.
03Prior need for oxygen therapy predicted higher self-reported vocal symptom scores after recovery.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study relied on self-reported data collected after the fact, which introduces memory bias regarding symptoms experienced before and during the acute illness. The sample size was small (45 participants), and the design was cross-sectional rather than longitudinal, limiting the ability to track symptom progression accurately over time. Participants were recruited from a specific rehabilitation service, which may not represent the broader population of people recovering from COVID-19.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the association between oxygen therapy and vocal symptoms as proof that oxygen causes voice problems. The study design cannot establish causality, and the link may reflect other factors associated with more severe respiratory illness.