The Effect of Voice Disorders on Quality of Life(QOL) in the Korean

한국인의 음성질환이 삶의 질에 미치는 영향

  • 송윤경 (성균관대학교 의과대학 강북삼성병원 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 심현섭 (이화여자대학교 특수교육학과, 언어병리학 협동과정) ;
  • 권기환 (성균관대학교 의과대학 강북삼성병원 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 이경철 (성균관대학교 의과대학 강북삼성병원 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 이용배 (성균관대학교 의과대학 강북삼성병원 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 진성민 (성균관대학교 의과대학 강북삼성병원 이비인후과학교실)
  • Published : 2000.06.01

Abstract

Background and Objectives : Quality of life(QOL) is a construct representing physical, mental and social well-being. QOL has been used as a device for measuring the severity of health-related condition and treatment outcomes. As the social welfare system develops, the attention to QOL increases as well. The aims of this study was to examine whether the patients with voice disorder perceived significantly more the effects of voice disorder on QOL than nonpatient group did and if any, identify the sociodemographic risk factors influencing QOL of patients. Materials and Methods : This study asked 113 adults with voice disorders who were enrolled in Voice Clinic in the Department of Otolaryngology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between lune 1998 and January 1999 and 111 nonpatients to complete a questionnaire designed to elicit information about the effete of voice disorders on quality of lift. The questionnaire included items concerning sociodemographic areas, voice symptoms, job, effects of voice disorders on QOL domains(work, social, psychological, physical, and communication areas), potential risk factors to exposures, familial and medical history of voice disorders. Results : The sociodemographic characteristics of the patient group are as follows : (1) 75.2% of total patient group were female and the rest were male. (2) Age of total patient group ranged from 20 to 65 years. Hoarseness was the most commonly reported complaints, followed by complaints of high note difficulties during singing and voice fatigue. The patient group perceived effects of voice disorders on the areas of work, social, psychological, physical and communication more adversely than the comparison group did (p<0.05). QOL impairments were evaluated as a function of age, gender, education, and income, controlling other independent effects. The results were that (1) age was significantly associated with work problems and (2) gender and income were significantly associated with psychological problems. Conclusions : The findings indicated that the patients with voice disorders would perceive markedly adverse effect on all QOL domains, that is, work, social, psychological, physical, communicational areas. Therefore, the results of study suggest that lurker investigations about the nature of voice disorders, the prevention, treatment, and coping strategies are needed in the future.

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