title: [Relationship between the swallowing function and the health-related QOL among community-dwelling dependent elderly persons].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the relationship between the swallowing function and the health-related QOL (quality of life) among community-dwelling dependent elderly persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects included 191 community-dwelling dependent elderly persons. Data were collected via questionnaires, including information regarding age, gender, the level of care required, post-cerebrovascular disease, the health-related QOL and the swallowing function. We used the SF-8 to measure the health-related QOL and the DRACE (Dysphagia Risk Assessment for the Community-dwelling Elderly) to evaluate the swallowing function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average DRACE score was 4.29±3.81. In addition, the swallowing risk was found to be related to the SF (social functioning) and MH (mental health) subscales of the SF-8.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the swallowing function is significantly related to the health-related QOL among community-dwelling dependent elderly persons.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of KinDAI Himeji.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morisaki
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moriya
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires