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Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Patients With Spasmodic Dysphonia
Michael S. Benninger, MD;
Glendon Gardner, MD;
Cynthia Grywalski, CCC-SLP
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001;127:1083-1085.
Background Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a focal dystonia of the larynx. Although
individuals with SD have variable degrees of difficulty in everyday communication
and speaking, many report significant impairments. The impact of SD on the
quality of life of people with the disorder has not been well measured.
Objectives To assess the impact of SD using a voice-specific, validated outcomes
instrument, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and to evaluate the effect of
botulinum toxin treatment on quality of life.
Methods The VHI measures 3 subscales (physical, functional, and emotional) of
impact of a voice disorder as well as a total impact score. The VHI was completed
by 30 consecutive patients with SD before receiving botulinum toxin injection
and 2 to 4 weeks after injection. Pretreatment scores on the VHI were compared
with posttreatment scores.
Results Pretreatment scores on the VHI showed significant impairment in all
3 subscales (physical, 25.5; functional, 21.4; and emotional, 20.4) and the
total score (67.6). Statistically significant improvements occurred in all
3 subscale scores and the total score (P = .001)
for the 22 patients who completed the posttreatment survey.
Conclusions Spasmodic dysphonia has a significant impact on patients' perception
of quality of life as measured by the VHI. Significant improvements in all
3 subscale scores and the total score on the VHI occur after treatment with
botulinum toxin.
From the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (Drs
Benninger and Gardner) and the Division of Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders
(Ms Grywalski), Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich.
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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Longitudinal Effects of Botox Injections on Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) for Patients With Adductory Spasmodic Dysphonia: Part II
Rubin et al.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130:415-420.
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