Relating Physiologic Swallowing Impairment, Functional Swallowing Ability, and Swallow-Specific Quality of Life

This study included a heterogeneous cohort of 273 outpatients who underwent a modified barium swallow study (MBSS). We found significant correlations between MBSImP total scores and FOIS scores and DHI total scores, but not between MBSImP total scores and EAT-10 total scores. Significant correlations were also found between MBSImP item-level component scores and FOIS scores, EAT-10 total scores, and DHI total scores. Detailed item-level analyses revealed the MBSImP components of bolus transport/lingual motion, oral residue, and tongue base retraction were correlated with EAT-10 item-level scores and DHI item-level scores. The clinically modest associations between physiologic swallowing impairment, functional swallowing ability, and swallow-specific quality of life reveal different factors that uniquely contribute to patients ’ overall dysphagic profile, emphasizing the clinical impact of a comprehensive swallowing assessment.
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: research