The impact of gender and age on voice related quality of life in children: normative data. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2008 Feb;72(2):229-34
Date
12/08/2007Pubmed ID
18063123DOI
10.1016/j.ijporl.2007.10.015Scopus ID
2-s2.0-37649005561 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 22 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: Although several instruments are available to measure voice quality in children, their application to a normal population and major demographic subgroups has not been described. It is hypothesized that there is no measurable difference in self-reported voice related quality of life between gender and age groups within a population of normal children as measured by the Pediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life (PVRQOL) instrument.
METHODS: The PVRQOL instrument was used to prospectively survey a cohort of children in series at the Wisconsin State Fair. PVRQOL scores may range from 0 (complete dysfunction) to 100 (no dysfunction). Comparisons were made between age and gender groups in order to test the null hypothesis.
RESULTS: Of the 100 surveys completed by parents of children, 93 were performed correctly and had evaluable data (age range 2-17 years, mean 9.8). The mean PVRQOL score was 97.0+/-5.6. There was no difference between females and males (97.5+/-5.83 versus 96.5+/-5.3, p>0.05, unpaired t-test); however, within the pre-pubescent school age subjects, a diminished PVRQOL was reported for boys (95.5+/-6.37) as compared to girls (98.5+/-3.10, p<0.05, unpaired t-test). Further subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) between age groups or gender.
CONCLUSIONS: Amongst a random group of children without voice complaints queried outside of a medical center, self-reported PVRQOL showed no significant dysfunction. This is the first report of gender and age-specific normative PVRQOL data in children. A score of 86 or greater on the PVRQOL instrument represents a normal voice related quality of life.
Author List
Blumin JH, Keppel KL, Braun NM, Kerschner JE, Merati ALAuthors
Joel H. Blumin MD Chief, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinKristina L. Keppel NP APP Outpatient in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Joseph E. Kerschner MD Provost, Executive Vice President, Dean, Professor in the School of Medicine Administration department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAge Factors
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Voice Quality
