Analysis of voice-related quality of life in children.

PURPOSE: To analyze the voice-related quality of life of children with dysphonia and without voice disorders in a population sample of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

METHODS

Study participants were 420 children, 98 with dysphonia and 322 without voice disorders, aged six to 10 years, enrolled in public and private elementary schools. The random sample was divided into two groups: dysphonic children (study group - SG) and children without vocal disorders (control group - CG). Assessment of the children's voices was performed by four voice-expert speech-language pathologists with more than 10 years of experience in this field, using the auditory-perceptual parameter of overall severity of dysphonia graded in four points. The results were analyzed based on the evaluation of children's voices conducted by the speech-language pathologist that presented the highest intra-rater agreement, using the Kappa statistical method. The Pediatric Voice-related Quality-of-Life (PVRQoL) survey was answered by the children's parents/legal guardians. Descriptive statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Student's t-Test.

RESULTS

Of the 420 children evaluated, 98 were dysphonic (SG) and 322 presented no voice alteration (CG). Analysis of the three PVRQoL scores (total, physical, and social-emotional) showed no difference between the groups tested (SG and CG). No difference was observed in PVRQoL values regarding the degree of vocal deviation.

CONCLUSION

Dysphonia does not have a negative impact on the voice-related quality of life of children considering the response of secondary informants.