Behavioral and Psychological Impact of Dysphagia*
| Impact | No. Who Have Talked with Physician about Dysphagia (%)† | No. Who Have Not Talked with Physician about Dysphagia (%) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concerned about dysphagia | 86 (63.2) | 50 (36.8) | <.0005 |
| Dysphagia affects eating out or eating with other people | 74 (67.9) | 35 (32.1) | <.0005 |
| Avoids certain foods | 38 (71.7) | 15 (28.3) | .001 |
| Takes smaller bites | 51 (60.0) | 34 (40.0) | .058 |
| Washes down food with liquids | 51 (56.7) | 39 (43.3) | .207 |
| No medications for dysphagia symptoms | 45 (35.7) | 81 (64.3) | <.0005 |
| No diagnostic tests for dysphagia symptoms | 65 (89.0) | 8 (11.0) | <.0005 |
* Data presented on χ2 analysis of patients with dysphagia only (n = 214), missing data not included.
† Percentages are within group. For example, 63.2% patients who were concerned about their dysphagia spoke with their doctor about their symptoms.