Research Article

The effect of swallowing disorder on quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Volume: 11 Number: 4 July 4, 2025
EN

The effect of swallowing disorder on quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the severity of dysphagia in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPD) using both self-assessment and clinical assessment tools, to investigate the correlation between these methods, and to examine the effect of dysphagia on quality of life.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with IPD who applied to the Movement Disorders Clinic of the Neurology Department of Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine between 2020-2021 were included in the study. Dysphagia severity was assessed using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Dysphagia Disability Index (DHI), and Gugging Swallowing Screening (GUSS). The effect of dysphagia on quality of life was assessed using the Turkish Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (T-SWAL-QOL).

Results: A total of 38 patients, 24 (63.2%) of whom were male, were included in the study. There was a moderate correlation between GUSS and EAT-10 scores (r: -0.548; P<0.01). All areas of the quality of life questionnaire were negatively affected, with the most prominent problems being fatigue, sleep, and communication problems. The questionnaire scores showed a moderate correlation with EAT-10 scores (r: -0.583; P<0.01), a high correlation with DHI scores (r: -0.751; P<0.01)

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that dysphagia in IPD negatively impacts quality of life in several ways. The similar results obtained from self-assessment scales and clinical measures suggest that the clinician may include the results of self-assessment scales when screening for swallowing disorders.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the İstanbul Medipol University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 26.10.2021, Decision No: 1060) and informed written consent was obtained from all participants.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

May 29, 2025

Publication Date

July 4, 2025

Submission Date

December 13, 2024

Acceptance Date

February 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 4

AMA
1.Bingöl D, Bengisu S, Tüfekçioğlu Z, Demirsoy EN, Hanağası H, Topbaş S. The effect of swallowing disorder on quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Eur Res J. 2025;11(4):697-704. doi:10.18621/eurj.1600087