The effect of swallowing disorder on quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease
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.
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Article Information
- Article Type Research Article
- Submitted February 21, 2026
- Published July 3, 2025
- Issue Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025)
- Section Research Article
