Development and Validation of the Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ)

Common symptoms after thyroidectomy include voice change and throat and neck discomfort. But no common questionnaire has been developed. This study was performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Thyroidectomy-related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ).

Fourty items of the TVSQ were divided into 20 items related to the "voice change" and "throat and neck discomfort" subcategories, using item generation. Through a reduction process, 20 items were removed and 20 items were used. For the patients after thyroidectomy, we evaluated the reliability and validity of each of the 20 items through item discrimination, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and external validity by comparing normal group and laryngeal disease patients. Also, the patients were compared before as well as 2 and 4 weeks after thyroidectomy.

Item discrimination assessment showed a significant correlation between TVSQ total score and both the TVSQ "voice change" score (r = 0.908**) and TVSQ "throat and neck discomfort" score (r = 0.862**). Test-retest reliability assessment showed a significant correlation between TVSQ total scores at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively (r = 0.764**). Concurrent validity assessment revealed that the TVSQ showed high correlations with other voice questionnaires (Voice Handicap Index, Reflux Finding Index, and Vocal Track Discomfort Scale; r = 0.538**-0.830**). External validity assessment revealed that the TVSQ was suitable for patients after thyroidectomy (P < 0.000**).

Validity and reliability tests revealed that the TVSQ was suitable for assessment of the subjective feelings of patients with voice change and throat and neck discomfort after thyroidectomy.