Voice handicap and voice-related quality of life in COVID-19 patients

Lourival Mendes Bueno; Hugo Valter Lisboa Ramos; Claudiney Cândido Costa; Wilder Alves; Leandro Castro Velasco; Noemi Grigoleto De Biase

doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2024.101437

Voice handicap and voice-related quality of life in COVID-19 patients

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Apr 25;90(4):101437. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2024.101437. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lourival Mendes Bueno¹, Hugo Valter Lisboa Ramos², Claudiney Cândido Costa², Wilder Alves³, Leandro Castro Velasco², Noemi Grigoleto De Biase⁴

Affiliations

¹ Programa Interinstitucional de Pós-Graduação do Centro de Reabilitação e Readaptação Dr. Henrique Santillo (CRER), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: lourivambueno@gmail.com.
² Programa Interinstitucional de Pós-Graduação do Centro de Reabilitação e Readaptação Dr. Henrique Santillo (CRER), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
³ Centro de Reabilitação e Readaptação Dr. Henrique Santillo Dr. Henrique Santillo (CRER), Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
⁴ Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Abstract

Objectives: Identifying voice handicap and voice-related quality of life in patients presenting pulmonary impairment associated with COVID-19 infection, comparing pulmonary parameters between these patients and individuals in the control group, as well as correlating pulmonary parameters to self-assessment questionnaires (IDV-10 and QVV).

Methods: Thirty-five (35) patients presenting pulmonary impairment with COVID-19 infection were herein selected and compared to 35 individuals who were not affected by COVID-19 infection. Two self-assessment questionnaires were applied (vocal handicap index and voice quality of life protocol). Maximum phonation time Forced Expiratory Pressure (PEF) and Forced Inspiratory Pressure (PIF) were measured and videolaryngoscopy was performed.

Results: There was statistically significant difference in scores recorded in voice self-assessment questionnaires (IDV-10 and QVV), Expiratory Pressure (PEF) and Forced Inspiratory Pressure (PIF) between patients with pulmonary impairment associated with COVID-19 infection and those in the control group. Correlation between PEF/PIF and scores recorded in voice self-assessment questionnaires was also observed.

Conclusion: Pulmonary impairment associated with COVID-19 infection has worsened voice handicap and voice-related quality of life in the assessed patients, as well as reduced their forced expiratory and inspiratory pressure in comparison to the control group.

Keywords: COVID-19; Lung injury; Voice; Voice quality.