DYMUS-Hr self-assessment questionnaire (Croatian version) for dysphagia in multiple sclerosis-validity, reliability,...

The prevalence of dysphagia in the early phases of multiple sclerosis is 30-40%, with an estimated of 30% of cases going undiagnosed cases. Such complications can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia and have a great impact on the quality of life and psychosocial status of a person with MS. The aim of this study was the validation of dysphagia in multiple sclerosis self-assessment questionnaire (DYMUS) in the Croatian language.

The cross-cultural adaptation process included a back-forward translation technique of the English language version of DYMUS to the Croatian language, with pilot testing on 30 participants. The validity and reliability of the Croatian version of DYMUS (DYMUS-Hr) was applied to 106 MS patients, with comparison to the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT10), the Water Swallowing Test (WST), and a dichotomous self-assessment question. In the assessment of test-retest reliability, 99 MS patients were included.

Internal consistency of DYMUS-Hr was very good (Cronbach's alpha-0.837); Cronbach's alpha was 0.819 for the "dysphagia for solids", and 0.562 for "dysphagia for liquids" subscale. A significant correlation (p < 0.001) was found between DYMUS-Hr and EAT10 (Spearman's rho-0.787), and WST (Spearman's rho-0.483). Construct validity was assessed with the self-assessment question and interpreted with the Mann-Whitney U test. Test-retest reliability showed moderate to substantial Cohen's Kappa reliability for each item.

DYMUS-Hr is a valid and reliable screening assessment tool for patients with MS. There is a general lack of awareness about dysphagia symptoms among patients with MS; consequently, this disorder receives inadequate attention and often goes untreated.