Self-reported complaints and therapeutic follow-up in voice and orofacial motricity among adult and older users in Brazilian primary health care
1
Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Human Communication, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
2
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Voice and orofacial functions are determinant for communication, participation, and quality of life, yet related complaints are often under-recognized in primary care1-2. This study described self-reported voice and orofacial myofunctional complaints and therapeutic follow-up among adults and older adults attending a Brazilian primary health care unit.
METHODS:
Cross-sectional analytic study with ethical approval. The sample (n=277) included people aged 18 years or more that attended a primary care unit in a medium-sized Brazilian city. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including adjusted binary logistic regression (p<0.05).
RESULTS:
Participants were mostly women (73.6%) with mean age 42.1 (±16.2) years that reported chronic diseases (40.4%) and continuous medication use (47.4%). Voice complaints occurred in 25.3% and orofacial complaints in 27.9%, with snoring standing out (27.8%). Voice complaints were associated with higher educational level (OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.33–4.26) and continuous medication (OR=2.25; 95% CI 1.29–3.92). Orofacial complaints were associated with continuous medication (OR=1.90; 95% CI 1.10–3.27). Snoring was associated with male sex (OR=1.80; 95% CI 1.01–3.21), continuous medication (OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.00–2.98), and increasing age (OR=1.02 per year; 95% CI 1.00–1.04). Only 3.2% sought specialty care for voice complaints and 3.2% for orofacial complaints, with waiting times ranging from 1 month (private practice) to over 2 years (specialty public service).
CONCLUSIONS:
Voice and orofacial complaints were frequent, but therapeutic follow-up was rare, indicating unmet needs in primary care. Integrating systematic screening, medication review, occupational risk counseling, and structured referral pathways may strengthen comprehensive and longitudinal care and reduce access gaps.
Voice and orofacial functions are determinant for communication, participation, and quality of life, yet related complaints are often under-recognized in primary care1-2. This study described self-reported voice and orofacial myofunctional complaints and therapeutic follow-up among adults and older adults attending a Brazilian primary health care unit.
METHODS:
Cross-sectional analytic study with ethical approval. The sample (n=277) included people aged 18 years or more that attended a primary care unit in a medium-sized Brazilian city. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including adjusted binary logistic regression (p<0.05).
RESULTS:
Participants were mostly women (73.6%) with mean age 42.1 (±16.2) years that reported chronic diseases (40.4%) and continuous medication use (47.4%). Voice complaints occurred in 25.3% and orofacial complaints in 27.9%, with snoring standing out (27.8%). Voice complaints were associated with higher educational level (OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.33–4.26) and continuous medication (OR=2.25; 95% CI 1.29–3.92). Orofacial complaints were associated with continuous medication (OR=1.90; 95% CI 1.10–3.27). Snoring was associated with male sex (OR=1.80; 95% CI 1.01–3.21), continuous medication (OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.00–2.98), and increasing age (OR=1.02 per year; 95% CI 1.00–1.04). Only 3.2% sought specialty care for voice complaints and 3.2% for orofacial complaints, with waiting times ranging from 1 month (private practice) to over 2 years (specialty public service).
CONCLUSIONS:
Voice and orofacial complaints were frequent, but therapeutic follow-up was rare, indicating unmet needs in primary care. Integrating systematic screening, medication review, occupational risk counseling, and structured referral pathways may strengthen comprehensive and longitudinal care and reduce access gaps.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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