title: The "Deglutition Handicap Index" a self-adminitrated dysphagia-specific quality of life questionnaire: sensibility to change.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of UES's dysfunction treatments with the DHI (Deglutition Handicap Index).
  
  
  METHODS
  24 patients suffering of UES's dysfunction were included prospectively between 2008 and 2009 in 2 centers (France and Netherlands). Patients completed DHI before and after treatment. For statistics, Wilcoxon two-sample tests were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean score was 57 +/- 17 in the preoperative and 26 +/- 19 in the post operative time. The statistical difference was significant p < 0.0001. The difference is also significant for the 3 subscales (symptoms, functional, emotional).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DHI has been validated in terms of content, concurrent, construct validity and temporal reliability. It can be used for assessing efficacy of treatments used for dysphagia.
authors: CHU Toulouse, Larrey Hospital, Voice and Deglutition Unit, ENT & Head and Neck Department, TSA 30030, 31059 Toulouse cedex 09, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Crestani
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Moerman
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Woisard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires