Side effects of medications in professional opera singers’ voice: survey findings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20200131Keywords:
Side effects, Drugs, Opera singers, Nucleotide polymorphismsAbstract
Background: Opera singers are classified under level I, as the elite vocal performers, being the quintessential representatives of this group. As the professional voice users, they meticulously observe any changes relevant to their health, therefore self-reported side effects should be taken under serious consideration. The aim of this study was to initiate the process of gathering general information about the most common side effects of medications taken by the opera singers.
Methods: The study group consisted of 264 professional opera singers, treated in Clarós Clinic in a 35 years period, who were asked to complete a questionnaire. The response rate was 62.1% (n=164) with a male-to-female ratio being 1.27:1 (72 men and 92 women). 46 cases of adverse effects of medicines were updated and analysed. All the responses were collected between February and April 2018.
Results: The mean age of our study group was 38.3 for females and 49.95 for males, with the range between 18-83 years. The vocal categories were as follows: 39 tenors, 17 baritones, 14 basses, 64 sopranos, 23 mezzo-sopranos and 5 contraltos. Patients with chronic diseases and comorbidities represented the 39.1% of the study group. The most common adverse effect reported was dryness (15.2%). The most frequent voice side effects raised by singers were clearing the throat frequently (14.63%), hoarseness and coarse or scratchy sound (10.37%), and vocal fatigue (7.32%).
Conclusions: We believe that exploring the subject of vocal side effects of medications in professional opera singers is extremely important.
Metrics
References
Koufman JA, Isaacson G. The spectrum of vocal dysfunction. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1991;24:985-8.
Kwok M, Eslick GD. The impact of vocal and laryngeal pathologies among professional singers: a meta-analysis. J Voice. 2019;33(1):58-65.
Davies DG. Travel and the Vocal Performer. In: Care of the Professional Voice. London, United Kingdom: Butterworth Heinemann; 2004.
Sataloff RT. Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care. Fourth. Plural Publishing Inc. Available at: https://books.google.es/books/about/ Professional_Voice.htmlid=m6R3oAEACAAJ&rediresc=y. Accessed on 20 March 2019.
Frare RG, Singh AK. A Critical Review of Physicochemical Properties and Analytical Methods Applied to Quantitative Determination of Ebastine. Vol 8347. Taylor and Francis; 2018.
Benninger MS, Murry T. The Performer’s Voice. Plural Pub; 2006. Available at: https://books. google.es/books/about/The Performers Voice.htmlid =z 50e AQAAMAAJ &redir_esc=y. Accessed on 20 March 2019.
Abaza MM, Levy S, Hawkshaw MJ, Sataloff RT. Effects of medications on the voice. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007;40:1081-90.
Nemr K, Di A, Silva C, Rodrigues DDA, Zenari MS, Paulo S. Medications and Adverse Voice Effects. J Voice. 2018;32(4):515.e29-39.
The world health report 2002: reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2002.
Sataloff RT, Heman-ackah YD, Hawkshaw MJ. Clinical anatomy and physiology of the voice. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007;40:909-29.
Reed Thompson A. Pharmacological agents with effects on voice. J Otolaryngol. 1995;16(1):12-8.
Empey PE. Pharmacogenomics to achieve precision medicine. Am J Heal Pharm. 2016;73(23):1906-7.
Goyal V, Gupta A, Gupta O, Lal D, Gill M. Comparative efficacy and safety of ebastine 20 mg, ebastine 10 mg and levocetirizine 5 mg in acute urticaria. J Clin Diagnostic Res. 2017;11(3):WC06-9.
Van Lierde KM, Claeys S, De Bodt M, Van Cauwenberge P. Response of the female vocal quality and resonance in professional voice users taking oral contraceptive pills: A multiparameter approach. Laryngoscope. 2006;116(10):1894-8.
Surow JB. “Alternative Medical Therapy” use among singers: prevalence and implications for the medical care of the singer. J Voice. 2000;14(3):398-409.
Balch JF. Prescription for Natural Healing. 5th ed. Avery Trade; 2006.
Martin FG. Drugs and vocal function. J Voice. 1988;2(4):338-44.