The silent struggle: Swallowing impairment affects quality of life in dysphagia

Introduction: Dysphagia or swallowing impairment involves inadequate consumption of foods/liquids. This inadequate oral intake affects their quality of life. The impact on quality of life includes mental health, physical health, activities of daily living and social interaction etc. Aim: To examine the effects of dysphagia on quality of life of individuals based on FOIS levels. Methods: This study was conducted among 15 individuals with dysphagia. SWAL-QOL (Swallowing quality of life) questionnaire was administered among the individuals with swallowing impairment and compared the SWAL-QOL scores with Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Discussion and Conclusion: Dysphagia includes decreased oral intake, prolonged tube feeding and weight loss and risk of essential changes to the eating pattern and social lives, thereby leading to poor quality of life. Understanding of impact of swallowing impairment is necessary for clinicians to provide management for both psychological and physical aspects of condition. To improve quality of life individuals with dysphagia patients require clinical nutritionalist counselling, psychologist counselling, speech and swallowing therapy. Results: The SWAL-QOL scores and FOIS level comparison reveals a significant correlation.