Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Assessment Using an Abridged SWAL-QOL.
Int J Spine Surg
; 13(1): 102-109, 2019 Jan.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30805293
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Studydesign:
Retrospective cohort study.Objective:
To determine which components of the swallowing disorders quality of life (SWAL-QOL) survey are most relevant to assess dysphagia following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS). Summary of background data The SWAL-QOL survey is an instrument that has been applied to patients undergoing ACSS procedures as a means of objectifying swallow function. However, the SWAL-QOL is lengthy, cumbersome, and primarily used for otolaryngological procedures.METHODS:
Patients undergoing ACSS procedures were administered the SWAL-QOL prior to surgery and at 6- and 12-week postoperative visits. The preoperative and postoperative SWAL-QOL scores were compared using paired t tests. Questions with statistically and clinically significant postoperative changes were used to create an abridged survey.RESULTS:
Fifty patients completed surveys at all 3 encounters and were included in the analysis. The total scaled score at 6 weeks was significantly lower than the preoperative score (P = .003) but returned to near baseline scores by 12 weeks (P = .178). Five sections had significantly lower scores at both postoperative visits compared to their respective preoperative values. Additionally, 13 individual questions had significantly lower scores at both postoperative visits, while 8 had significantly lower scores at only 1 of the postoperative visits. Of these 21 questions demonstrating statistical significance, 16 also demonstrated a clinically significant decrease (>5.0%) from preoperative scores. These 16 questions were included in the abridged survey developed for use in ACSS patients.CONCLUSIONS:
The results of this study suggest that several questions in the full SWAL-QOL questionnaire demonstrated minor or no changes at postoperative visits following ACSS. As a result, we propose a modified, 16-question SWAL-QOL survey including only questions that were both statistically and clinically significant. This truncated survey may be better suited for use in cervical spine patients.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Spine Surg
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article