The impact of gender and age on voice related quality of life in children: Normative data

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 mates (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. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.