Vocal function following discharge from intensive care

Introduction: There is growing interest in the long term outcomes of critical care. The degree of vocal morbidity suffered by patients surviving intensive care admission has not previously been reported.Objective: To determine the degree of subjective, patient-reported vocal morbidity following discharge from intensive care.Materials and methods: A prospective study was undertaken of patients admitted to intensive care. A total of 273 consecutive admissions were assessed; 181 patients were suitable for inclusion.Main outcome measure: The Voice Symptom Scale questionnaire.Results: Eighty-three patients responded. Twenty-seven patients (33 per cent) reported a degree of vocal morbidity greater than that suffered by patients treated for early laryngeal cancer. Thirteen patients (16 per cent) reported a degree of morbidity greater than that suffered by patients attending voice clinics.Conclusion: Up to one-third of patients who survived admission to an intensive care unit reported suffering significant vocal morbidity. The Voice Symptom Scale could be used in an intensive care follow-up setting to identify and ensure the referral of such patients.