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

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 VRQOL 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.

Automated summary

The study identified an impact on voice-related quality of life in patients with subglottic stenosis, with breathlessness during speech potentially more significant than inability to speak.