The Relation Between Eating Disorders and Voice Disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between specific eating disorder diagnoses/purging behaviors and voice disorders.

METHOD: One hundred-nine participants with eating disorders completed a survey inquiring about eating disorder symptoms, purging behaviors, and voice disorder symptoms. Participants also completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, Voice Handicap Index, and the Reflux Symptom Index.

RESULTS

The prevalence of voice disorders among the group with eating disorders was 21.88%. Of those with both eating disorders and voice disorders, anorexia nervosa appeared to be more prevalent in this group than bulimia nervosa. In addition, purging behaviors of exercise presented with a higher prevalence of voice problems than vomiting.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with eating disorders seem to be at a higher risk for voice disorders than the general population. Anorexia nervosa and exercise as a purging method were identified as the highest risk factors for voice disorders.