Data from: Dysphagia Management in COPD: Consensus Survey

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease with high morbidity and mortality. COPD has a prevalence of approximately 12.2% or 300 million people globally. Ireland has the highest rates of hospitalisation for treatment of COPD exacerbations across Europe and COPD is the third leading cause of death. Dysphagia is a contributory factor to COPD exacerbations which result in frequent hospitalisation. Effective dysphagia management can reduce hospitalisation and improve quality of life for people with COPD (PwCOPD). However, internationally, there is a paucity of information about dysphagia management in PwCOPD, with no evidence, to date, from Ireland. This study provides new empirical evidence by exploring Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) dysphagia management practices with PwCOPD prior to and during Covid-19 in Ireland. Following a pilot study, a survey was issued to SLTs working with PwCOPD and dysphagia in the Republic of Ireland (n=131). A 70% response rate (n=92) was achieved. Participants had up to twenty years' experience working with PwCOPD across a variety of clinical settings. Most participants reported reduced confidence levels when managing PwCOPD and dysphagia, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bedside clinical assessment of swallow was routinely used, but few participants assessed aspects of respiratory dysphagia or included instrumental assessments of swallow. Participants reported inconsistent use of dysphagia policies, procedures, and guidelines (PPPGs). Development of national PPPGs for SLTs working with PwCOPD and dysphagia may support consistent, evidence-based dysphagia management, increase SLTs' confidence levels and improve the quality of life for PwCOPD and dysphagia in Ireland.