Swallowing dysfunction and quality of life in children with tonsillar hypertrophy and sleep-disordered breathing: A prospective cohort study
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Tonsillar hypertrophy is a common cause of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children and may contribute to swallowing dysfunction through upper airway obstruction. However, its impact on swallowing-related quality of life has not been well characterized.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate swallowing-related quality of life in children with tonsillar hypertrophy and SDB, assess the effect of surgical treatment, and validate an Arabic version of the Pediatric SWAL-QOL questionnaire.
METHODS
In this prospective cohort study, 50 children with SDB and Brodsky grade ≥2 tonsillar hypertrophy were compared with 53 healthy controls. Swallowing-related quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric SWAL-QOL questionnaire. Surgical patients completed the questionnaire before and three months after surgery; controls completed it once. Forty-six children completed postoperative follow-up. The Arabic questionnaire underwent forward-backward translation and psychometric validation.
RESULTS
Children with tonsillar hypertrophy and SDB demonstrated significantly worse preoperative SWAL-QOL scores than controls (31.74 ± 25.05 vs. 2.47 ± 4.00; p 0.80).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with tonsillar hypertrophy and SDB experience significant swallowing dysfunction that improves substantially following surgical treatment. Dysphagia severity appears to be more closely related to functional upper airway obstruction than tonsil size alone. The Arabic Pediatric SWAL-QOL is a reliable tool for assessing…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 50 participants or records.
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