Prevalence and associated factors of dysphonia in non-hospitalized Thai COVID-19 patients: a descriptive study with Thai-VHI10 Assessment

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic first emerged in December 2019 and rapidly spread globally, including Thailand. While respiratory symptoms remain the primary manifestation of the disease, upper respiratory tract symptoms, including dysphonia, have been reported in various studies. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dysphonia in non-hospitalized Thai COVID-19 patients and identify associated factors using the Thai-Voice Handicap Index-10. Methods: This study investigates the prevalence of dysphonia and associated factors in non-hospitalized Thai COVID-19 patients. Conducted from September 2022 to February 2023, it enrolled healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19 but were not hospitalized. Results: Among 82 patients, 53 (64.6%) reported dysphonia, which was significantly associated with cough (P = 0.013) and nasal discharge (P = 0.047). Substantial improvement was observed at the 3-month follow-up (73.6%). Vaccination may serve as a protective factor (crude odds ratio < 1). Conclusion: The prevalence of dysphonia among non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Thailand is 63.6%, linked to cough and nasal congestion, with symptoms likely to subside within 3 months.