Clinical Profiling of Stuttering Characteristics in a Speech Clinic of a Tertiary care Hospital- a Retrospective Study of the Decennial Trend

Abstract

Purpose: Stuttering is a speech disorder, which affects the smooth flow of speech with a worldwide prevalence rate of about 1%. Reports on the estimation of stuttering prevalence across all age groups based on various influential factors are limited. Clinical profiling of stuttering characteristics in a speech clinic of a tertiary care hospital using retrospective data of 10 years.Methods: The decennial trend of stuttering between January 2010 and December 2019 with a complete enumeration of stuttering cases across all ages reported in the tertiary care clinic were analysed retrospectively for various factors such as primary and secondary features, and associated deficits.Results: Overall prevalence rate over a 10-year period was estimated to be 4.7%. Descriptive data on characteristics and influential factors related to the occurrence of stuttering were profiled.Conclusions: This study can be used to understand the decadal trends in stuttering traits. Information about contributing factors can help take steps to prevent risk factors for stuttering. The findings of this study will allow SLPs to understand the need for better documentation and intervention strategies for this population.