Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ-T)

Purpose of the study is the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ-T), so that it would be used as an assessment tool for Turkish dysphagia patients. Despite being translated and validated in many languages, there is no validated Turkish version of SSQ to measure the severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

The swallow function is a multidirectional process that depends on complex neuro-muscular network. The function can be evaluated using instrumental, such as fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), videofluoroscopy, or well structured questionnaires. There are many questionnaire and scales for assessment of swallow but very few have been validated. The study will assess the construct validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Self-report Symptom Inventory as known as Sydney Swallow Questionnaire. The investigators developed the Turkish version of this questionnaire (SSQ-T), according to the cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. Two translators translated the SSQ into Turkish and a native English language speaker reverse-translated it into English. The back translation was sent to the original author for proofreading. The SSQ questionnaire consisted of 17 basic questions related with dysphagia symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

Group 1:

• Able to speak, read, understand and write in Turkish
• History of dysphagia during 6 months
• Age between 18-80 years

Group 2:

• Able to speak, read, understand and write in Turkish
• Healthy adults
• Age between 18-80 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mental disorders
• Cognitive limitations
• Able not to speak, read, understand and write in Turkish
• Underwent any surgery last a month
• Underwent laryngectomy/neck dissection/tracheostomy/neck radiotherapy
• Pregnancy
• Malignancies
• Out of age 18-80 years old.