Voice handicap index and voice-related quality of life in small laryngeal carcinoma

Laryngeal cancer can affect the patients’ voice. For assessment of the patients’ self-perception of their voice, several tools were introduced into clinical routine. The voice handicap index questionnaire (VHI) is regarded as the “gold standard”. However, in benign laryngeal pathologies and in functional dysphonia, the shorter voice-related quality of life questionnaire (V-RQOL) proved to be equivalent. This study examines the correlation of both questionnaires in patients who had been treated for small (T1 and T2) laryngeal cancer. It was performed during regular outclinic examinations. In total, 65 patients aged 62.1 ± 10.0 years completed the German versions of the VHI and V-RQOL. Their average VHI total score was 38.9 ± 26.0 points and the average V-RQOL score was 70.1 ± 24.4%. The total scores correlated with |ρ| = 0.92 and p < 0.01. Both questionnaires give quasi identical results, the shorter V-RQOL may be favoured for clinical application.