Comparing Voice Self-Assessment with Auditory Perceptual Analysis in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
AUTOR(ES)
Bauer, Vladimir, Aleric, Zorica, Jancic, Ervin
FONTE
Int. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol.
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2015-06
RESUMO
Disordered voice quality could be a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of MS on voice-related quality of life is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the results of voice self-assessment with the results of expert perceptual assessment in patients with MS. The research included 38 patients with relapse-remitting MS (23 women and 15 men; ages 21 to 83, mean = 44). All participants filled out a Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and their voice sample was analyzed by speech and language professionals using the Grade Roughness Breathiness Asthenia Strain scale (GRBAS). The patients with MS had significantly higher VHI than control group participants (mean value 16.68 ± 16.2 compared with 5.29 ± 5.5, A significant number of patients with MS experienced voice problems. The VHI is a good and effective tool to assess patient self-perception of voice quality, but it may not reflect the severity of dysphonia as perceived by voice and speech professionals.