Relationship between swallow‐specific quality of life and fiber‐optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing findings in patients with head and neck cancer

• DOI: 10.1002/hed.24333
• Publication Date: 2015-12-23T12:38:40Z
• Authors: Michelle Florie; Laura Baijens; Bernd Kremer; Kenneth Kross; Martin Lacko; Femke Verhees; Bjorn Winkens
• Keywords: Male; dysphagia; Endoscopy; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Deglutition; health-related quality of life; MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI); 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Quality of Life; Fiber Optic Technology; Humans; head and neck cancer; Female; deglutition disorder; Deglutition Disorders; Aged

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between swallow‐specific quality life (QOL) using MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) and swallowing function a standardized fiber‐optic endoscopic evaluation (FEES) protocol in patients with dysphagia head neck cancer. Methods Sixty‐three cancer were enrolled study. Patients completed MDADI questionnaire underwent FEES examination. Ordinal variables measured. Descriptive statistics 1‐way analysis variance tests carried out. Results For all variables, observer agreement level sufficient (kappa ≥0.7).These preliminary results show statistically significant mean differences subscales ordinal scale levels for several variables. Conclusion can be used assess impact on patients' health‐related QOL. Despite clear trends, it remains unclear if as an indicator severity oropharyngeal dysphagia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38 : E1848–E1856, 2016