Voice-related quality of life: Relation to objective spirometry measures in subglottic stenosis

Am J Otolaryngol. 2021 Sep-Oct;42(5):103013. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103013. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: QOL; SGS; Spirometry; Subglottic stenosis; Voice.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Dyspnea / physiopathology
  • Dyspnea / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laryngostenosis / complications
  • Laryngostenosis / diagnosis
  • Laryngostenosis / physiopathology*
  • Laryngostenosis / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Speech
  • Spirometry / methods*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Voice*