Voice handicap in patients with organic and functional dysphonia

Background. The goal of this study was to assess and compare voice handicap in patients with benign organic and functional dysphonia. Patients and methods. Voice handicap was assessed using a German version of the Voice Handicap Index. A total of 108 German speaking patients, 64 women and 44 men aged 45.3+/-15.1 years with benign organic (n=69) or functional (n=39) voice disorders completed the questionnaire immediately after clinical examination and without knowing their individual diagnosis. Fifty individuals without voice complaints and normal voice status, 28 women and 22 men aged 47.1 +/- 15.5 years, served as controls. Results. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were found between all dysphonic patients and the control group. When comparing dysphonic patients according to their gender and diagnosis group (organic or functional) no significant differences were detected. Conclusion. It can no longer be assumed that patients with functional voice disorders over emphasize their disease. The data obtained in this study prove that there are no gender specific differences in the way a voice disorder is experienced. There are also no differences in the way patients with a different language background experience their voice handicap.