Translation and Validation of the Dysphagia Handicap Index in Polish-Speaking Patients.
Ewelina M Sielska-Badurek, Maria Sobol, Joanna Chmilewska-Walczak and 2 others
PMID 36507957WHAT IT FOUND
A Polish translation of the Dysphagia Handicap Index accurately measures swallowing-related quality of life in adults.
Scores were significantly higher in patients with dysphagia than in healthy controls, and the questionnaire yielded consistent results when completed twice within two weeks.
Key findings
01The Polish Dysphagia Handicap Index distinguished patients with swallowing disorders from healthy controls, with a median score of 36 in patients versus 4 in controls.
02Test-retest reliability was excellent, with correlation coefficients of 0.97 for the total score in both the patient group and the control group when completed 13 to 14 days apart.
03Internal consistency was excellent, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.962 for the total score and high coefficients for the physical, functional, and emotional subscales.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study did not evaluate responsiveness, meaning it is unknown whether the score changes accurately when a patient improves or worsens over time. The correlation between the questionnaire and objective swallowing safety (Penetration-Aspiration Scale) was weak, so the tool measures patient perception rather than physiological impairment. Cognitive decline was not measured with a standardized scale, relying instead on clinical judgment for exclusion. The study used Classical Test Theory rather than the more modern Item Response Theory for validation. The patient group had diverse etiologies, making it difficult to compare subgroups directly.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources are reported in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not use the Dysphagia Handicap Index score as a proxy for objective swallowing safety. The study found only a weak correlation between the patient-reported questionnaire and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale, meaning a patient may report low distress while having severe aspiration, or vice versa.