VALIDATION AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF THE SWALLOWING DISTURBANCE QUESTIONNAIRE (SDQ) INTO GREEK FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Dysphagia is a frequent and impactful symptom of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), associated with malnutrition, dehydration, and increased mortality. Early detection is essential, yet reliable screening tools remain limited. The Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) is a validated tool for dysphagia screening in PD. However, no culturally adapted and validated Greek version currently exists. Methods: Forty individuals diagnosed with PD participated in this study. The original SDQ was translated into Greek and a pilot administration was conducted with healthy controls. To evaluate validity, participants completed two additional self-questionnaires (Speech Pathology-Specific Questionnaire for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis; SMS and Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis questionnaire; DYMUS) and performed the 3-ounce Water Swallow Test (3oz WST). Cognitive and language functions were evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). Results: The Greek SDQ (g-SDQ) showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.841) and good diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.820). Strong positive correlations were found between the g-SDQ and both the DYMUS (r = 0.86, p < .001) and SMS questionnaires (r = 0.73, p < .001). A positive but not statistically significant correlation was observed with the 3oz WST (r = 0.48, p = .002). Cognitive assessments revealed significant negative correlations between the g-SDQ and MoCA, as well as the VFT. Conclusion: The g-SDQ is a reliable and valid tool for early screening and monitoring of dysphagia in Greek people with PD, aiding clinicians in identifying swallowing difficulties and supporting personalized care.