Quality of Life Predictors in Voice of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

To investigate whether there is a relationship between voice-related quality of life, pulmonary function, risk of dysphagia, symptoms of dyspnea, and the different degrees of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and to verify which factors may be associated to voice-related quality of life. Complete records of 37 individuals diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, of both sexes, aged between 35 and 89, assessed using the Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, Questionnaire for Dysphagia Screening, Modified Medical Research Council, Index of Body Mass, Peak Expiratory Flow, COPD Assessment Test and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification. There was a significant, moderate, and negative correlation between the total scores and the physical domain scores of the Voice-Related Quality of Life as a COPD Assessment Test. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, the coefficient of determination explained 51.1% of the relationship between the total Voice-Related Quality of Life score and the independent variables: Peak Expiratory Flow and Questionnaire for Dysphagia Screening. In the analyzed group, voice-related quality of life was negatively influenced by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, risk of dysphagia, and changes in Peak Expiratory Flow.