Abstract
BACKGROUND: Professions distinguished by repeated vocal stress carry a high risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) which may affect vocal performance. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of self-reported GERS in professional opera soloists. METHODS: A validated questionnaire regarding self-reported GERS (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia, hoarseness, and cough) and lifestyle habits was administered to 116 professional opera soloists (mean age 34.1 ± 7.3 years, F:M ratio 1:1.1). Age and sex-matched opera choristers and control subjects were used as control. Prevalence rate ratios (PRRs) adjusted for confounding factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Among GERS, belching (33.6%), heartburn (19.8%), and dysphagia (15.5%) were the most commonly reported by soloists. In particular, a higher risk of heartburn (PRR 2.61, 95% CI 1.45-4.69) and dysphagia (PRR 2.58, 95% CI 1.31-5.10) was reported in soloists as compared to choristers. The prevalence of obesity and late dinner was higher in both choristers and soloists in comparison to the population sample (p
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 798-803 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Digestive and Liver Disease |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2019 |
Keywords
- *Heartburn
- *Regurgitation
- *Singer
- *Voice types
- Adult
- Deglutition Disorders/epidemiology
- Female
- Gastroesophageal Reflux/*epidemiology/etiology
- Heartburn/epidemiology
- Hoarseness/epidemiology
- Humans
- Italy/epidemiology
- Life Style
- Male
- Obesity/*complications
- Occupational Diseases/complications/*epidemiology
- Prevalence
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Factors
- *Singing
- Surveys and Questionnaires