Comparison of Patient Reported and Caregiver Reported Swallowing-Related Quality-of-Life in Parkinson's Disease
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Zimmerman, Allie S.
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Garand, Kendrea
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
University of South Alabama
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2020
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
97
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
M.S.
Body granting the degree
University of South Alabama
Text preceding or following the note
2020
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This study compared swallowing-related quality-of-life scores reported between 36 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their caregivers. Further, this study explored potential factors influencing differences between patient and caregiver paired scores, including age, employment status, sex, ethnicity and race, previous history of swallowing evaluation or treatment, caregiver concern about patient cognition, caregiver burden, and time since onset of disease. All study participants were administered an online survey consisting of background and demographic questions and the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL). In agreement with previous studies, a statistically significant difference was not observed between how patients and caregivers reported swallowing-related quality-of-life in patients with PD. The caregiver's concern about cognition, prior history of swallowing evaluation of treatment, and disease severity were found be most related to patient-reported swallowing-related quality-of-life. The caregiver's concern about cognition, caregiver burden, and level of care provided proved to be most related to caregiver-reported swallowing-related quality-of-life. However, after adjusting for multiple comparisons, the only statistically significant influential factor found was caregiver burden. These results support the need for appropriate assessment and management of caregiver burden for caregivers of patients with PD.