Voice handicap and health-related quality of life in laryngectomees: assessments with the use of VHI and EORTC questionnaires.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), the health-related quality of life (HRQL), and the correlations between VHI and HRQL in laryngectomees.


METHODS
Forty-three laryngectomized persons participated (mean age 68;6 years, time since laryngectomy between 0;6 and 12 years). Evaluation of voice handicap was done with the VHI. HRQL was evaluated with questionnaires from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35.


RESULTS
VHI for the whole group demonstrated a moderate voice handicap, with a mean score of 48/120. The functional scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 resulted in scores on the same level as the normal population with the exception of a lower global quality of life scale (Global QOL). EORTC QLQ-H&N35 revealed problems with smell and taste, speech, coughing, xerostomia, and sexuality. VHI correlated significantly with the Global QOL, the functional scales, dyspnea, pain, nausea and financial difficulties (EORTC QLQ-C30). Significant correlations were also found between VHI and speech problems, social contact, pain from the head and neck area, sense problems, sexuality and social eating (EORTC QLQ-H&N35).


CONCLUSIONS
The EORTC questionnaires in combination with the VHI questionnaire seem to capture most of the problems following laryngectomy, including voice problems.
Lundström
Elisabet
E
Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. elisabet.lundstrom@karolinska.se
Hammarberg
Britta
B
Munck-Wikland
Eva
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*