ROC Analysis Cut-off Points of Hellenic Voice Handicap Index for Neurogenic Voice Disorders Patients: an Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE

The inclusion of subjective methods for evaluating Voice Disorders is proven an essential factor for diagnosis as these methods include self-reported questionnaires (eg, Voice Handicap Index-VHI) for everyday clinical practice. In turn, by obtaining cut-off scores of self-perceived questionnaires intended for assessment procedures of different voice disorders (eg, patients with neurological problems), the clinicians might be helped toward finding their patients' needs leading to better monitoring, and treatment suggestions. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to estimate the cut-off scores for the Greek VHI relevant to patients with neurogenic voice disorders.

METHODS

Ninety subjects participated in this research. Sixty-six of them served as the control group while the remaining 24 patients exhibited Neurogenic Voice Disorders (eg, spasmodic dysphonia or vocal fold paralysis). They filled in the VHI and the Voice Evaluation Template. All participants were examined with the use of video laryngeal endoscopy and stroboscopy.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed higher medians in all domains (of the VHI) for the patients compared to the control group. The cut-off points were estimated at the values of 24.50 (Total Score-AUC 0.932, P = 0.000), 9.00 (Functional Domain-AUC 0.917, P = 0.000), 10.00 (Physical Domain-AUC 0.948, P = 0.000), and 9.00 (Emotional Domain-AUC 0.830, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

The estimated cut-off scores are in agreement with previous studies. These scores could probably used to enhance therapeutic monitoring of patients who suffer from neurogenic voice disorders. This study underlines the importance of considering different cutoff points for individuals with voice disorders due to diverse neurogenic etiologies.