Validation of the French Version of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire in Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases

Validation of the French Version of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire in Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases

Measurements of dysphagia severity are important when making management decisions and in the objective evaluation of swallowing impairments. The Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) is a validated self-report inventory using a visual analogue scale. This questionnaire permits a quantitative, sensitive, specific, repeatable and easily responsive evaluation of dysphagia in different pathology. Opposed to largely used videofluoroscopy swallowing study and endoscopy examinations, the SSQ is noninvasive, less expensive, avoids radiation exposure and enables a readily available assessment. Validated French version is not yet available. In the first phase of the study the investigators will validated this translation in dysphagic patients and control. Secondly, the investigators will validate the SSQ in Neuromuscular patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

Phase 1:

Group 1:

• Healthy participants
• Able to speak, read and write in French
• Aged at least 18 years old

Group 2:

• Patients, with symptoms indicative of a deglutition disorder, referred for a videofluoroscopic study to the Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Voice and Swallowing Clinic
• Able to speak, read and write in French
• Aged at least 18 years old

Phase 2:

• Clinical diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases
• Able to understand French

Exclusion Criteria:

Phase 1:

Group 1:

• History of neurological or neuromuscular disease
• History of any diagnosticated swallowing disorder

Group 2:

• Patients who could not be cataloged as dysphagic or non-dysphagic after the videofluoroscopic study evaluation
• Patients unable to answer the questionnaire

Phase 2:

• Patients who could not be cataloged as dysphagic or non-dysphagic
• Patients unable to answer the questionnaire