Table 3 Score distribution of ASWAL-QOL (n = 100)
From: Validation of the Arabic version of swallowing quality of life questionnaire
Subscale | No. items | Range | Mean | SD | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General burden | 2 | 0–100 | 40.8 | 22.6 | 40.0 |
 1. Dealing with my swallowing problem is very difficult |  | 0–100 | 40.4 | 24.3 | 40.0 |
 2. My swallowing problem is a major distraction in my life |  | 0–100 | 41.2 | 24.8 | 40.0 |
Eating desire | 3 | 0–100 | 45.3 | 22.8 | 40.0 |
 1. Most days, I do not care if I eat or not |  | 0–100 | 46.2 | 28.7 | 40.0 |
 2. I am rarely hungry anymore |  | 0–100 | 48.8 | 29.0 | 40.0 |
 3. I do not enjoy eating anymore |  | 0–100 | 41.0 | 26.3 | 40.0 |
Eating duration | 2 | 0–100 | 42.6 | 24.0 | 40.0 |
 1. It takes me longer to eat than other people |  | 0–100 | 39.6 | 24.6 | 40.0 |
 2. It takes me forever to eat a meal |  | 0–100 | 45.6 | 28.9 | 40.0 |
Symptoms | 14 | 0–100 | 49.8 | 18.7 | 44.3 |
 1. Cough |  | 0–100 | 46.8 | 25.3 | 40.0 |
 2. Choking when you eat food |  | 0–100 | 45.2 | 23.5 | 40.0 |
 3. Choking when you take liquids |  | 0–100 | 45.0 | 23.8 | 40.0 |
 4. Having thick saliva or phlegm |  | 0–100 | 41.8 | 24.6 | 40.0 |
 5. Gagging |  | 0–100 | 51.8 | 29.1 | 40.0 |
 6. Drooling |  | 0–100 | 53.4 | 29.5 | 40.0 |
 7. Problems chewing |  | 0–100 | 52.0 | 29.0 | 40.0 |
 8. Having excess saliva or phlegm |  | 0–100 | 46.8 | 25.8 | 40.0 |
 9. Having to clear your throat |  | 0–100 | 37.8 | 18.2 | 40.0 |
 10. Food sticking in your throat |  | 0–100 | 49.2 | 28.1 | 40.0 |
 11. Food sticking in your mouth |  | 0–100 | 54.0 | 28.5 | 50.0 |
 12. Food or liquid dribbling out of your mouth |  | 0–100 | 60.6 | 31.2 | 60.0 |
 13. Food or liquid coming out your nose |  | 0–100 | 61.8 | 31.3 | 60.0 |
 14. Cough food or liquid from mouth when it sticks |  | 0–100 | 51.2 | 26.3 | 40.0 |
Food selection | 2 | 0–100 | 45.2 | 21.9 | 40.0 |
 1. Figuring out what I can and cannot eat is a problem for me |  | 0–100 | 43.8 | 22.9 | 40.0 |
 2. It is difficult to find foods that I both like and can eat |  | 0–100 | 46.6 | 24.6 | 40.0 |
Communication | 2 | 0–100 | 52.4 | 28.9 | 40.0 |
 1. People have a hard time understanding me |  | 0–100 | 54.4 | 30.8 | 40.0 |
 2. It has been difficult for me to speak clearly |  | 0–100 | 50.3 | 28.6 | 40.0 |
Fear of eating | 4 | 0–100 | 45.6 | 23.2 | 40.0 |
 1. I fear I may start choking when I eat food |  | 0–100 | 43.8 | 26.3 | 40.0 |
 2. I worry about getting pneumonia. |  | 0–100 | 50.0 | 29.6 | 40.0 |
 3. I am afraid of choking when I drink liquids |  | 0–100 | 42.4 | 25.6 | 40.0 |
 4. I never know when I am going to choke |  | 0–100 | 46.2 | 28.1 | 40.0 |
Mental health | 5 | 0–100 | 40.8 | 19.9 | 40.0 |
 1. My swallowing problem depresses me |  | 0–100 | 39.8 | 22.5 | 40.0 |
 2. Having to be so careful when I eat or drink annoys me |  | 0–100 | 37.8 | 20.5 | 40.0 |
 3. I have been discouraged by my swallowing problem. |  | 0–100 | 42.0 | 23.5 | 40.0 |
 4. My swallowing problem frustrates me. |  | 0–100 | 42.4 | 24.7 | 40.0 |
 5. I get impatient dealing with my swallowing problem |  | 0–100 | 41.8 | 22.2 | 40.0 |
Social functioning | 5 | 0–100 | 45.3 | 24.9 | 40.0 |
 1. I do not go out to eat because of my swallowing problem. |  | 0–100 | 44.8 | 28.0 | 40.0 |
 2. My swallowing problem makes it hard to have a social life. |  | 0–100 | 46.6 | 28.0 | 40.0 |
 3. My usual work or leisure activities have changed because of my swallowing problem |  | 0–100 | 45.6 | 28.0 | 40.0 |
 4. Social gatherings (like holidays or get-togethers) are not enjoyable because of my swallowing problem |  | 0–100 | 43.4 | 28.1 | 40.0 |
 5. My role with family and friends has changed because of my swallowing problem |  | 0–100 | 46.0 | 27.9 | 40.0 |
Fatigue | 3 | 0–100 | 37.9 | 18.6 | 40.0 |
 1. Feel weak? |  | 0–100 | 40.8 | 22.0 | 40.0 |
 2. Feel tired? |  | 0–100 | 35.8 | 19.8 | 40.0 |
 3. Feel exhausted? |  | 0–100 | 37.0 | 20.6 | 40.0 |
Sleep | 2 | 0–100 | 45.2 | 24.9 | 40.0 |
 1. Have trouble falling asleep? |  | 0–100 | 45.6 | 26.8 | 40.0 |
 2. Have trouble staying asleep? |  | 0–100 | 44.8 | 27.0 | 40.0 |
Overall | 44 | 0–100 | 45.7 | 15.9 | 41.8 |