Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Translation and Validation of Kannada Version of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (KSWAL-QOL)

The swallowing quality of life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire is a commonly used tool to assess the impact of dysphagia on quality of life. SWAL-QOL has been translated and validated in many languages. There is no valid dysphagia-specific quality of life tool in Indian languages. Hence, the current study aimed at cultural adaptation, translation, and validation of SWAL-QOL in Kannada (KSWAL-QOL), a south Indian Dravidian language. The original SWAL-QOL was translated into Kannada using the standard translation procedure. A group of 55 participants with oro-pharyngeal dysphagia (clinical group) and 55 participants with normal swallowing abilities (control group) were recruited for the current study to assess the validity and reliability of KSWAL-QOL. Dysphagia Handicap Index- Kannada version (DHI-K) and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LISAT) were used to check for the convergent validity of the KSWAL-QOL. The KSWAL-QOL demonstrated excellent discriminant validity and distinguished clinical from the control group across all domains (p = 0.00). Internal consistency for all the nine domains of KSWAL-QOL measured using Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.89 to 0.92, demonstrating excellent reliability. Test-retest measures were exceptional, with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranging between 0.92 and 0.98 and Spearman’s rho values between 0.91 and 0.97. A very strong negative correlation was obtained between KSWAL-QOL and DHI-K, and a strong positive correlation was seen between KSWAL-QOL and LISAT. The KSWAL-QOL is a reliable and valid tool with excellent psychometric properties to evaluate the quality of life associated with swallowing in individuals with oropharyngeal dysphagia.