Abstract
Objective(s): The cutting-edge assessment of voice disorders includes objective and subjective methods in the daily clinical practice. The latter assessment is usually performed through the administration of self-reported questionnaires. Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is one of the most widely used tools both in clinical practice and in research level. This tool-questionnaire was employed in this research along with the Voice Evaluation Template (VEF). In turn, the aim of this study was to analyse and produce the cut-off points of VHI for voice-disordered patients in Greece by using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves (ROC Curves). Methods: Sixty-three participants (40 non-dysphonic and 23 with different types of dysphonia) were classified by ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctors and SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists). The Hellenic VHI along with the translated Greek version of the VEF was administered to the subjects of this research. Results: The voice-disordered subjects exhibited higher overall VHI scores (in total and in its 3 subdomains) compared to the control group. Statistical significant differences were found between dysphonic and non-dysphonic participants for all VHI’s construct domains. The cut-off point of VHI total score was estimated at the value of 14.50 (sensitivity: 0.870, 1-specificity: 0.000). Moreover, the cut-off points of the three subdomains were computed as 7.50 for functional (sensitivity: 0.783, 1-specificity: 0.000), 8.50 for physical (sensitivity: 0.739, 1-specificity: 0.000) and 8.50 for emotional domain (sensitivity: 0.783, 1-specificity: 0.050). Conclusion: The preliminary statistical and ROC data analysis of VHI concluded that by using this type of assessment method, populations with or without voice disorders (in Greece) can be distinguished. Albeit this tool is a non-interventional method it could consequently offer an adequate screening and monitoring capability.
Highlights
Voice-disordered populations are regularly examined by Otolaryngologists during their daily clinical practice
The VDP subgroup had a significant higher overall Voice Handicap Index (VHI) total score compared to non-smokers, U = 70.000, P < 0.001
Similar statistically significant differences of medians were found for VHI-F (U = 113.500, P < 0.001), VHI-P (U = 127.500, P < 0.001) and for VHI-E (U = 118.500, P < 0.001)
Summary
Voice-disordered populations are regularly examined by Otolaryngologists during their daily clinical practice. The objective evaluation of voice function can provide information about the voice impact on patient’s quality of life [10] while it determines the severity of the disability that the patient perceives [10] [24]. For this type of non-interventional voice disorders evaluation, a number of questionnaires were developed [21] [22] [23] [24]. The VHI was cross-culturally translated and adapted into Greek language [38] and in turn was used in research level relevant to Greek population [39] [40] [41] [42]
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