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.