Abstract
To analyze the voice-related quality of life of children with dysphonia and without voice disorders in a population sample of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Study participants were 420 children, 98 with dysphonia and 322 without voice disorders, aged six to 10 years, enrolled in public and private elementary schools. The random sample was divided into two groups: dysphonic children (study group - SG) and children without vocal disorders (control group - CG). Assessment of the children's voices was performed by four voice-expert speech-language pathologists with more than 10 years of experience in this field, using the auditory-perceptual parameter of overall severity of dysphonia graded in four points. The results were analyzed based on the evaluation of children's voices conducted by the speech-language pathologist that presented the highest intra-rater agreement, using the Kappa statistical method. The Pediatric Voice-related Quality-of-Life (PVRQoL) survey was answered by the children's parents/legal guardians. Descriptive statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Student's t-Test. Of the 420 children evaluated, 98 were dysphonic (SG) and 322 presented no voice alteration (CG). Analysis of the three PVRQoL scores (total, physical, and social-emotional) showed no difference between the groups tested (SG and CG). No difference was observed in PVRQoL values regarding the degree of vocal deviation. Dysphonia does not have a negative impact on the voice-related quality of life of children considering the response of secondary informants.
Highlights
Pediatric dysphonia is characterized as any difficulty that hinders or prevents children from producing their natural voice
As for the analysis of the Qualidade de Vida em Voz Pediátrico (QVV-P) three scores between the groups Control - without voice disorders (CG), Study 1 - with mild dysphonia (SG1), and Study 2 - with moderate dysphonia (SG2), no difference was observed between the groups (Table 3)
The results show that dysphonia does not have a negative impact on quality of life, regardless of whether the grade of vocal deviation is mild or moderate
Summary
Pediatric dysphonia is characterized as any difficulty that hinders or prevents children from producing their natural voice. The vocal problem on the life of children may be underestimated, considering that they do not present more comprehensive symptoms involving other systems[2]. This may lead to delays in the demand for intervention, which in turn will result in chronic voice disorder with potential to limit the school life and the social and future professional opportunities of these children[2]. Prevalence of pediatric dysphonia in schools varies from 6 to 23.4%, reaching its peak in children aged five to 10 years[4] When untreated, it can influence the development of adequate communicative capacity in adult life
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