Correlation of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) in Patients With Dysphonia

Objectives. This study examines the correlation between two voice-specific patient-reported outcome measures: the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL). Study Design. Retrospective chart review. Participants. Eight hundred four patients presenting to our voice clinic between May 2009 and August 2011. All patients completed the VHI-10 and V-RQOL in a single sitting. Methods. Correlation between the two scales was examined using Spearman rank analysis. Calculated VHI-10 score was derived from V-RQOL score by direct conversion equation and compared with measured VHI-10 score. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were derived for diagnostic groups. Results. Spearman correlation coefficient between the VHI-10 and V-RQOL was -0.91 (P < 0.0001). VHI-10 and V-RQOL scores were also significantly correlated among diagnostic categories. Calculated and measured VHI-10 scores were significantly different both for individuals and overall. Area under the curve (AUC) values from ROC curves were significantly different for the presbyphonia (V-RQOL AUC = 0.586 [standard error, SE +/- 0.033]; VHI-10 AUC = 0.530 [SE +/- 0.031]; P = 0.0014) and muscle tension dysphonia (V-RQOL AUC 0.536 [SE +/- 0.026]; VHI-10 AUC = 0.508 [SE +/- 0.26]; P = 0.018) groups, with the V-RQOL showing relatively greater sensitivity. Conclusions. The VHI-10 and V-RQOL are highly correlated. However, VHI-10 score cannot be calculated from V-RQOL score using the tested equation. The V-RQOL may be more sensitive than the VHI-10 in detecting the impact of presbyphonia and muscle tension dysphonia.