Detection of benign proliferative lesions on vocal cords with voice handicap index

The aim of this study was to investigate the significance and practical applicability of the voice handicap index (VHI) in the diagnosis of benign proliferative lesions of the vocal cords (BLVCs). The detection of VHI included the calculation of functional (F), physical (P) and emotional (E) domains, and the score of each domain and total score (TVH). The VHI was scored in patients with BLVCs and healthy controls. Eighty-four patients with BLVCs and 27 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. The F, P, E and TVH scores were 10.40±7.84, 19.88±8.81, 9.39±8.49 and 39.37±21.83, respectively, in the BLVC group and 0.78±0.97, 0.85±1.06, 0.26±0.72 and 1.89±2.31, respectively, in the control group. A significant difference was found between the two groups (P<0. 01). The daily duration of speech and course of BLVCs did not correlate with the VHI score in BLVC patients (P>0.05). There was no marked difference in the VHI score between voice-consuming and non-voice consuming occupations (P>0.05) or between males and females (P>0.05). In BLVC patients, VHI may subjectively express the voice handicap, while daily duration of speech, course of BLVC, occupation and gender have no impact on VHI.