The Relationship Between Patient Reported Dysphagia Symptom Severity And Swallowing Related Quality Of Life In Patients With Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between patient reported dysphagia symptom severity and swallowing related quality of life (SRQOL) in patients with neurological disorders. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of neurological disorders who aged between 25 to 60 years were included. The dysphagia symptom severity was assessed with the Turkish Eating Assessment Tool (T-EAT-10). SRQOL was assessed by the Turkish version of the Swallow Quality of Life Questionnaire (T-SWAL-QOL). Results: Eighty-four patients with neurological disorder were included. The mean T-EAT-10 score was 19.59 +/- 11.16 (min = 0, max = 40), and the mean total score of T-SWAL-QOL was 50.63 +/- 23.52 (min = 0, max = 90). A negative, good, statistically significant correlation between T-EAT-10 and total T-SWAL-QOL was found (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Higher patient reported dysphagia symptom severity is associated with lower scores of SRQOL. Therefore, appropriate management strategies which also focus on patient reported symptoms may be necessary to minimize negative SRQOL issues of patients with neurogenic dysphagia.