Validated patient-reported outcome instruments for velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Validated patient-reported outcome instruments for velopharyngeal insufficiency.
Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 2015;76:33-40
Authors: Skirko JR, Sie KC
Abstract
Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) affects speech, swallowing, and many psychosocial aspects of life in a way best measured by quality-of-life (QOL) instruments. QOL instruments are patient-reported outcome instruments that provide a method of measuring the value that patients place on their health-related experiences. These instruments allow us to quantify patients' QOL during assessment as well as the clinical improvement that we seek with treatment. Two instruments have primarily been used in the VPI population: the Pediatric Voice Outcomes Survey (PVOS) and the VPI Effects on Life Outcomes (VELO) survey. Each has undergone a different level of assessment. The first step in using an instrument involves understanding how it functions. The PVOS was modified from an adult voice-specific functional status instrument. It was tested for reliability and validated against other patient-reported instruments and has been used to measure change in voice function with VPI surgery. The VELO was developed with comprehensive VPI-specific content and validated against several other measures important in VPI. It was found to be reliable and responsive to change in QOL. The VELO has several subscales (Speech Problems, Swallowing Problems, Situational Difficulty, Perception by Others, Emotional Impa...

Source: Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - March 5, 2015 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Adv Otorhinolaryngol Source Type: research