Measurement of the Handicap of Dysphonic Patients using the Filipino Voice Handicap Index

• Main Authors: Aimee Caroline E. Lim, Melfred L. Hernandez, Erasmo Gonzalo DV. Llanes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. 2010-06-01
• Series: Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• Subjects: dysphonia; voice handicap index; videostroboscopy
• Online Access: https://pjohns.pso-hns.org/index.php/pjohns/article/view/647

Objectives: 1) To describe patterns of Filipino Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores in relation to the demographic data of dysphonic patients; 2) To describe patterns of Filipino VHI scores in relation to the different pathologies of dysphonia as determined by videostroboscopy.  Methods: Study design: Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Philippine General Hospital  Population: Adult patients (≥18 years old), proficient in Filipino.    A group of 124 dysphonic patients seen at the Videostroboscopy Unit completed the Filipino VHI.  Demographic data were collected. Videostroboscopy diagnoses were classified into six groups: normal, mass lesions, inflammatory, mucosal irregularities, functional and neurogenic.  The T-test was used to determine differences in scores among the demographic parameters and the pathology groups.  ANOVA one-way factor was used to determine difference of subscale scores within each pathology group, and to determine difference of pathology scores in each subscale.  Differences were considered statistically significant if p<0.05.  Results: Statistical analyses showed that Filipino VHI scores were affected by age, gender, educational status and occupation.  Younger patients significantly scored higher than patients >40 years old.  Females had significantly higher scores than males in the functional, physical and total subscales.  Patients with lower educational status scored higher compared to college graduates.  Voice professionals significantly scored higher than the non-voice professionals.  Dysphonic patients significantly scored higher than normal volunteers.  Among the pathological groups, neurogenic lesions had the highest scores.  Physical subscale scores were significantly higher in all lesions except in functional lesions.  Conclusion:  The Filipino VHI measured handicap to be higher among young females with voice-dependent occupations.  Patients with neurogenic lesions demonstrated the most severe handicap. Keywords:  dysphonia, voice handicap index, videostroboscopy