Association between voice handicap index and reflux symptom index : a cross-sectional study of undiagnosed general and teacher cohorts in Saudi Arabia

• Published in: Sultan Qaboos University medical journal Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 350 - 354
• Main Authors: al-Rahim, Ahmad, al-Bar, Muhammad Hasan, al-Anzi, Rawan, Bayunus, Sarah, al-Ghuwaynim, Abd al-Rahman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Arabic; English
• Published: Muscat, Oman Sultan Qaboos University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences 01.08.2018; Sultan Qaboos University; Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, College of Medicine & Health Sciences
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical & Basic Research; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Faculty - statistics & numerical data; Female; Gastroesophageal reflux; Humans; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - classification; Male; Middle Aged; Population; Questionnaires; Response rates; Risk Factors; Saudi Arabia; Self Report; Severity of Illness Index; Speech disorders; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teachers; Voice Disorders - classification; Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; School Teachers; Voice Disorders; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Hoarseness
• ISSN: 2075-051X; 2075-0528
• DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.014

Objectives: This study aimed to assess potential associations between self-reported symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and voice disorders among two undiagnosed cohorts in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted from February to April 2017 in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Validated Arabic versions of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and 10-item Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) were distributed to 400 teachers at 13 schools and 300 members of the general population attending an ear, nose and throat clinic in Khobar. Scores of >13 and >11 on the RSI and VHI-10 indicated a potential subjective diagnosis of LPR and voice disorders, respectively. Results: A total of 446 individuals took part in the study, including 260 members of the general population (response rate: 86.7%) and 186 teachers (response rate: 46.5%). The mean age was 32.5 years. In total, 62.2% complained of voice and/or reflux problems, with the remaining 37.8% not reporting/unaware of any problems in this regard. Among the teachers, 30.6% and 18.3% had positive RSI and VHI-10 scores, respectively, while 43.1% and 14.6% of the individuals from the general population had positive RSI and VHI-10 scores, respectively. Overall, VHI-10 scores were significantly associated with RSI scores (P <0.001). Conclusion: A significant association between RSI and VHI-10 scores suggests that there may be an association between LPR and voice disorders. These tools would therefore be a valuable method of monitoring patients; however, they cannot be used to confirm a diagnosis. Thus, more detailed studies are needed to confirm this association using a larger sample size.