Background: The aging voice index (AVI) is a 23-item self-administered, patient-reported outcome measure. It was developed in the English language to assess the impact of voice disorders on the elderly population.
Objectives: This study aimed to develop an Arabic version of the AVI (A-AVI), test its reliability and validity, and assess its psychometric aspects in Arabic-speaking elderly persons with voice disorders.
Study design/methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study involving elderly patients aged ≥60 years. Eighty-two patients with voice disorders were included in the dysphonia group and 77 patients without voice disorders were included in the vocally healthy group. The translated A-AVI and Arabic voice handicap index 10 (A-VHI10) were distributed to the study groups. The A-AVI was tested for its reliability (test-retest reliability and internal consistency) and validity (content, construct, and concurrent with A-VHI10).
Results: The A-AVI showed excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.987 and Cronbach's alpha = 0.954, respectively). There was a significant difference in A-AVI scores between the elderly in the dysphonia and vocally healthy groups (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant correlation was demonstrated between A-AVI and A-VHI10 (r = 0.89). Unilateral vocal fold immobility and inflammatory laryngeal disorders were most frequently reported by the dysphonia group (28%).
Conclusions: A-AVI has excellent validity and reliability in Arab-speaking elderly patients with voice disorders. It can be considered in the assessment of the effect of voice disorders on the quality of life of the elderly.
Keywords: Aging; Arabic; Dysphonia; Elderly; Validity and reliability; Voice.
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