Dysphagia and quality of life

Swallowing difficulties can be a symptom of many different disease processes, and are associated with adverse health outcomes; malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia and death. The use of feeding tubes directly into the stomach as in percutaneous endoscopic gastrosomy (PEG) is an increasingly common treatment option for these patients with more and more being cared for in the community. Living with a gastrostomy tube brings physical and emotional impacts and direct consequences for quality of life. Guidance from the Royal College of Physicians recommends 'nil by mouth' should be a last resort even when swallow function is deemed unsafe. Impaired swallowing can cause increased anxiety and fear. Many patients avoid oral intake leading to malnutrition, isolation and depression. Understanding and balancing the risks and potential benefits of continuing oral intake or choosing gastrostomy makes this a complex and challenging area of health care.