Self-perceived handicap associated with dysphonia and health related quality of life in asthma and COPD patients: a case-control study

Abstract

Purpose The association between voice alterations, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has previously been reported. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that HRQL and dysphonia-associated handicap of patients diagnosed with asthma or COPD are worse than healthy controls. Method A case–control study in which participants were recruited by a consecutive sampling method from a single institution was conducted. Three groups were created: (a) asthma (51 patients), (b) COPD (52 patients), and (c) 50 healthy controls. Self-reported handicap associated with dysphonia was assessed using the 30-item Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30); meanwhile, HRQL was tested via the European Quality of Life (EQ) Questionnaire and the EQ–visual analog scale. Also, aerodynamic assessment applied to phonation was assessed, and maximum phonation time and s/e index were registered. Results VHI scores were higher for asthma and COPD (7.19 ± 8.31 and 11.80 ± 15.18, respectively) than in the control group (3.72 ± 6.78). The EQ index was lower in asthma and COPD patients than in controls. The EQ–visual analog scale showed lower scores in asthma and COPD than in the controls. Conclusions HRQL was worse in COPD patients than in asthma patients. Even though the patient groups showed worse VHI and HRQL scores than the healthy controls, the scores fell within the normal variation range. No significant variations in the maximum phonation time index between groups were noted.