Voice related quality of life after botulinum toxin injection for spasmodic dysphonia
Gama, A.C.C.; Menezes, L.N.; Maia, A.A.; Rezende Neto, A.L.; Oliveira, J.B.
Revue de Laryngologie - Otologie - Rhinologie 131(1): 39-44
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-1334 PMID: 21077414 Document Number: 637964
Laryngeal Focal Dystonia (LFD) leads to a type of voice with a strained and tense quality which has a neurological origin, affecting the social-emotional realms of the individuals, and their quality of life. Measure the voice-related quality of life of patients with Adductor LFD pre and post-treatment with Botox, injection followed by voice therapy, using the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL). Prospective study. Adductor 11 female patients aged between 33 and 74 years with a diagnosis of Adductor LFD were evaluated. All patients underwent a neurological evaluation. Laryngoscopy was performed with both rigid and flexible endoscopes. Speech and Language evaluation followed the Evaluation of Voice Protocol, proposed by Behlau, Pontes (1995). The American V-RQOL measure was utilized. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant difference (p < 0.05). 81.8% of patients showed higher scores post-Botox, for the social-emotional and physical domain. In the overall V-RQOL scores 72.7% of patients showed greater scores post-treatment. There was an improvement in the quality of life for these patients post-treatment. The V-RQOL proved to be an efficient tool to measure the treatment outcomes of LFD pre and post botulinum toxin injection.