The Validation of the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL): Arabic version

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to translate the original Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) version into Arabic language version and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the translated Arabic version of the V-RQOL in order to be used as a valuable test to assess any voice problems influencing the everyday routine duties of the Arabic speaking patients with voice disorders. Patients and Methods: The V-RQOL questionnaire is made up of 10 items. The questionnaire was translated from English to Arabic by two doctors both were native Arabic speakers and fluent in English as well. Then the translated copy was revised by another two native Arabic speaking physicians and fluent in English as well. The questionnaire was applied on 50 controls healthy participants and 100 patients with voice disorders who were recruited from the Phoniatric outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital, between the period from May 2020 till June 2021.The V-RQOL questionnaire translated version was completed twice by 30 participants with 2 weeks apart to analyze the test-retest reliability. The person completed the questionnaire by him/herself or if he/she is illiterate, it was done by the help of the physician. Additional to the V-RQOL questionnaire, the participants underwent full history taking and Full laryngeal assessment and completed the Voice Handicap Index (Arabic version) as well. Results: The V-RQOL questionnaire is as valid & reliable tool as the VHI for patients with voice disorders. It was shown in the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for all 10 questions of V-RQOL and the thirty questions of VHI were 0.879 & 0.94 respectively, which indicates a very good level of reliability of both questionnaires. Conclusion: The V-RQOL questionnaire clearly measures the socio-emotional aspects and the physical-functional aspects of voice disorder patients in a simple, rapid, easy way to apply and not time-consuming tool which is suitable for the countries with high population density like Egypt.