Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología | 2021
Psychometric validity of the Portuguese version of SWAL-QOL for head and neck cancer
Abstract
Abstract Introduction and aim In Portugal there are no instruments that measure the impact of dysphagia on the quality of life. The aim of this study was the assessment of the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of SWAL-QOL, in a head and neck cancer population. Materials and methods It was a case–control study, with a consecutive sample of 300 subjects that was divided into 3 groups (2 controls and 1 case). We performed principal components analysis, assessed reliability and clinical validity. For concurrent validity of the Portuguese version of SWAL-QOL, the Functional Scale of Oral Intake (FOIS) and the Performance Status Scale (PSS) for patients with head and neck cancer were used. Results The sample was predominantly male (66%) with a mean age of 57 years. Regarding the patients with head and neck cancer, 22% were in stage IIIA, and 43% had lesions on the larynx. As to the treatment provided, 33% underwent surgery and radiotherapy, and 80% of cases had oral feeding. The psychometric validity of SWAL-QOL was established, with good results for internal consistency (from .665 to .952), reproducibility (from .628 to .877) and construct validity. SWAL-QOL also showed good correlation with the clinical variable dysphagics vs. non-dysphagics. There were no statistical significant differences for the consistency of food and fluids, and oral vs. non-oral nutrition. Conclusions The validation of SWAL-QOL for the Portuguese language revealed that this instrument is psychometrically valid and appropriate for use with dysphagic patients with head and neck cancer.