Changes in Swallowing-related Quality of Life After Endoscopic Treatment For Zenker’s Diverticulum Using SWAL-QOL Questionnaire

Abstract

Dysphagia affects the most cardinal of human functions: the ability to eat and drink. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate swallowing dysfunction in patients diagnosed with Zenker's diverticulum using the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire preoperatively. In addition, SWAL-QOL was used to assess changes in the outcome of swallowing function after endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum compared to baseline. Pre- and postoperative SWAL-QOL data were analyzed in 25 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum between January 2011 and December 2013. Patients were treated by different endoscopic techniques, depending on the size of the diverticulum: CO laser technique or stapler technique, or the combination of both techniques used in larger diverticula. Their mean age was 69 years, and 28% of patients were female. The mean interval between endoscopic surgery and completion of the postoperative SWAL-QOL was 85 days. The median (min-max) preoperative total SWAL-QOL score was 621 (226-925) out of 1100, indicating the perception of oropharyngeal dysphagia and diminished quality of life. Following endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum, significant improvement was demonstrated in the postoperative total SWAL-QOL score of 865 (406-1072) out of 1100 (p < 0.001). On the majority of subscales of SWAL-QOL there was significant improvement between pre- and postoperative scores. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in the literature on the changes in pre- and postoperative SWAL-QOL scores for patients with Zenker's diverticulum before and after treatment. The results of this study indicate that endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum leads to significant symptom relief as documented by significant changes in the majority of the SWAL-QOL domains.

Cuidados paliativos, esclerose lateral amiotrófica e deglutição: estudo de caso

“…In the cases under discussion, there was no complete correspondence between swallowing functionality and the swallowing quality of life index, and this observation differed from studies on swallowing quality of life, with participants suffering from dysphagia due to non-degenerative diseases (12,13) .…”

Long term self-reported post-operative outcomes of endoscopic and open pharyngeal pouch repairs

“…There have been several studies conducted regarding the immediate and short-term swallowing-related quality of life (SrQoL) outcomes following pharyngeal pouch repair that have utilised the EAT-10 (18), the SWAL-QOL (19), and the MDADI (20). In 2016, Van Abel et al demonstrated a perceived improvement in short-term SrQoL outcomes following endoscopic repair of Zenker's diverticulum using the EAT-10 scale (18).…”

Devices and techniques for flexible endoscopic management of Zenker’s diverticulum (with videos)

“…Accurate diagnosis is essential because Killian-Jamieson diverticulum requires a different treatment approach from ZD. In addition to barium esophagram and endoscopy, several assessment tools to quantify dysphagia severity have been developed and validated, including the Swallow Quality of Life questionnaire, 6,7 which is a 44-item tool that assesses dysphagia-related quality of life, and the Eating Assessment Tool questionnaire, 8 which is a self-administered 10-item symptomspecific outcome instrument for dysphagia.…”