Translation and validation of voice handicap index-10 in Urdu. A validation study from a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the validity of Urdu translated version of voice handicap index-10 to be used for assessing patients with voice-related complaints. Method: The case control validation study was carried out at the Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery unit of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from August 2015 to January 2016. Group A had patients with voice-related disorders, while Group B had healthy controls. English version of voice handicap index-10 was translated into Urdu. Prospective instrument validation was performed. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. Results: There were 100 participants with 50(50%) in each of the two groups. The mean age of Group A was 52±15.33 years and for Group B it was 46.48+/-16.96 years. Significant difference was seen in the mean scores of Group A and Group B (p <0.001). Internal consistency was demonstrated by Cronbach's alpha of 0.961 and significant correlation was found between voice handicap index-10 total score and patient's self-related dysphonic severity (p<0.001). Conclusion: The Urdu version of voice handicap index-10 was found to be a valid and reliable tool and can be used for subjective voice assessment of individuals who understand Urdu.