Quality of life in dysphonic children measured on pediatric voice-related quality of life (Pvrqol) scale in Serbia

Abstract

Hoarseness occurs in children of both genders, from the earliest age and beyond, and is caused by improper use or overuse of vocal apparatus. The study included 91 hoarse children aged 6-12 (study group) and 243 healthy children (control group) of the same age. The study group underwent detailed medical history, phoniatric examination, larynx fiber endoscopy, allergy treatment, audiologic treatment, and pulmonary treatment. Pediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life question-naire, Serbian version (PVRQOL) was completed by parents of both groups of children. We did not find statistically significant differences in the hoarse children based on diagnosis (muscle tension disorder and vocal fold nodules) and age in physical domain, socio-emotional and global domain score (p>0.01). The results showed that parents did not recognize hoarseness as a health problem in children. There were significant gender differences in the group of children with hoarseness, i.e. parents in all three PVRQOL questionnaire domains recognized hoarseness as a significant health problem in girls, but not in boys. The presence of hoarseness impairs the quality of life in pediatric population. Social and emotional domains indicated greater impact in boys.