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Voice-related quality of life: Relation to objective spirometry measures in subglottic stenosis
Michael Eggerstedt1, Young Jae Kim2, Ethan M Ritz3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, United States of America.
Objectives:
The current study seeks to identify the correlation between in-office spirometry data and voice-related quality of life in patients with subglottic stenosis (SGS).
Methods:
Patients with SGS of any etiology were included when in-office spirometric data was available in addition to voice-related patient-reported outcomes (PROM) data in the form of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and/or the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) survey. Overall survey scores and individual question responses were assessed for degree of correlation to spirometric data.
Results:
Twenty-nine patients were included in the final analysis. Overall mean total VHI-10 scores totaled 7.15 (SD 9.11), while mean overall V-RQOL scores totaled 78.41 (SD 16.45). Both PEF and PIF rates correlated to total scores on the VHI and V-RQOL surveys. This correlation was stronger with PIF than with PEF, and with the V-RQOL than with the VHI. Questions related to breathlessness most closely correlated with spirometric data.
Conclusion:
Voice-related QOL is impacted in patients with SGS in a predictable way. Breathlessness while speaking may be more impactful than inability to produce speech in this population.
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