The Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI)—Normative Values. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Journal of voice Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 143.e9 - 143.e13
• Main Authors: Sobol, Maria, Sielska-Badurek, Ewelina M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; DSI; Dysphonia - diagnosis; Hoarseness; Humans; Meta-analysis; Middle Aged; Normal voices; Normative values; Otolaryngology; Severity of Illness Index; Systematic review; Voice; Voice Quality; Young Adult; Normative values; Systematic review; DSI; Normal voices; Meta-analysis
• ISSN: 0892-1997; 1873-4588; 1873-4588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.04.010

As the dysphonia severity index (DSI) is used in clinical practice as a diagnostic tool, a thorough systematic review of the literature is required to assess the normative value of DSI. The main propose of present study was to determine the normative value of DSI among subjects whose voices were judged as normal. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed to access relevant databases and to locate outcome studies. Eligibility criteria included type of publication, participant characteristics and report of outcomes. Data analysis was conducted using meta-analysis method. Fourteen articles were included for the final analysis. The normative value of DSI equals 3.05 with confidential range 2.13–3.98 was received for group of 1330 of healthy subjects whose voices were judged as normal, with range age 17.3–94 years. As DSI value is stable over subject groups and used as a diagnostic tool for adults a thorough systematic review of the literature is required to assess the normative value of DSI. Mean normative value of the DSI was found to be 3.05 with the DSI confidence levels between 2.13 and 3.98, which is lower than given previously.