title: Post-laryngectomy: it's hard to swallow: an Australian study of prevalence and self-reports of swallowing function after a total laryngectomy.
abstract: The prevalence of swallowing disorders (dysphagia) following a total laryngectomy remains unknown, with estimates varying from 17 to 70%. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and nature of self-reported dysphagia following a total laryngectomy across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. A secondary aim was to document the effect of dysphagia on the respondents' social activities and participation. A questionnaire battery, with a prepaid envelope for return, was sent to all laryngectomy members (n = 197) of the Laryngectomy Association of NSW. One hundred twenty questionnaires (61%) were completed and returned. Dysphagia was self-reported by 71.8% of the cohort. In this cohort with dysphagia, the most commonly reported features included an increased time required to swallow, a need for fluids to wash down a bolus, and avoidance of certain food consistencies. Severe distress was reportedly associated with dysphagia for 39.7% of these respondents and prevented 57% of them from participating in social activities, such as eating at friends' houses and/or at restaurants. The prevalence of self-reported dysphagia following total laryngectomy in this Australian study was 72%. Dysphagia can result in laryngectomies making significant changes to their diets and it has a marked impact on their activities and social participation.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Care Centre, St. George Hospital, Short Street, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia. Julia.Maclean@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maclean
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
references.citation: J Laryngol Otol. 2001 May;115(5):393-9
references.pmid: 11410132
references.citation: J Laryngol Otol. 2003 May;117(5):368-81
references.pmid: 12803787
references.citation: Head Neck. 2001 Jan;23(1):16-24
references.pmid: 11150066
references.citation: Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1994 Aug;19(4):295-300
references.pmid: 7994884
references.citation: Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002 Feb;128(2):181-6
references.pmid: 11843728
references.citation: J Laryngol Otol. 2008 Jul;122(7):728-32
references.pmid: 18405403
references.citation: Dysphagia. 1990;5(1):20-34
references.pmid: 2202556