Study on relationship between self-recognition of voice disorder and mental health status: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The voice has been thought to be associated with emotions, but conducting large-scale research on this relationship has some limitations. To overcome these limitations, questionnaires have been utilized as a research tool. A population-based cross-sectional study was done. A total of 15,977 participants completed questionnaires regarding self-recognition of voice disorder (SRVD), and mental health status. 1053(6.6 %) participants answered that they had SRVD. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, psychological stress (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.371, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.154–1.629), depressive symptoms (HR = 1.626, 95 % CI = 1.323–1.997), suicidal ideation (HR = 1.739, 95 % CI = 1.418–2.133), and suicide attempt (HR =2.206, 95 % CI = 1.067–4.56) were all associated with SRVD. In SRVD lasting over three weeks, psychological stress (HR = 1.604, 95 % CI = 1.278–2.014), depressive symptoms (HR = 1.807, 95 % CI = 1.384–2.36), and suicidal ideation (HR = 2.073, 95 % CI = 1.587–2.709) were also significant factors. As the number of mental health problems increased, the odds ratio of both SRVD (OR = 2.49, 95 % CI = 1.839–3.37) and SRVD lasting over three weeks (OR = 3.254, 95 % CI = 2.242–4.725) increased, respectively. SRVD and mental health status were judged only by simple questionnaires. Cross-sectional design and retrospective data could not draw causal relationships. SRVD and SRVD lasting over three weeks had a significant relationship with mental health status, including psychological stress, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. There is a need to consider psychiatric treatment for individuals who visit hospitals with voice disorders. •Stress, depressive symptom, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt are linked to self-recognition of voice disorder.•Stress, depressive symptom, and suicidal ideation are also linked to self-recognition of voice disorder lasting over 3 weeks.•The more mental health problems, the higher relationship with a voice disorder.