Impacto de la disfonía en la calidad de vida en la edad infantil

Abstract

IntroductionVoice disorders can negatively affect the child's self-esteem and pose a problem for their socialization. The P-VHI (Pediatric Voice Handicap Index) is a quality of life questionnaire adapted for use in children that studies the impact of dysphonia on the functional, physical and emotional levels. MethodsRetrospective, observational and analytical study of a group of 87 patients aged between 5 and 14 years old with a diagnosis of dysphonia. The control group consisted of 31 patients same age range in whom was discarded the presence of otorhinolaryngological disease. We collected the data referred to age, sex, family environment and sport practice of both groups and analyzed their relationship with the presence of dysphonia. The impact of dysphonia on children's quality of life was studied using the Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (P-VHI) questionnaire. ResultsWe found a statistically significant relationship between the dysphonia and the male sex (65.5% in the group with dysphonia vs. 29% in the control group), having siblings (89.7% vs. 71%) and having a family history of voice disorders (33.3% vs. 3.2%). In the P-VHI questionnaire for all categories a significantly higher score was obtained in the group with dysphonia compared to the control group. ConclusiónDysphonia negatively affects children in the physical, emotional and social spheres. It is convenient an early detection, diagnosis and treatment, proportional to the impact generated.