Exploring Emotional and Physical Intersections: Anxiety, Depression, and Dysphagia Severity

Abstract Background: Dysphagia, which is typically defined as difficulty swallowing, has significant emotional and psychological implications in addition to its medical effects. Increased anxiety and depression are common in patients, which can make their recovery and quality of life worsen. Although much research has been done on the physical causes of dysphagia, less is known about how swallowing issues and mental health interact, especially in Indonesian clinical settings. Given that psychological health may affect how dysphagia symptoms are perceived and how severe they are, it is critical to comprehend this relationship. By investigating the relationship between anxiety and depression and the degree of dysphagia in patients receiving treatment, this study aims to close that gap. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 32 adult patients diagnosed with dysphagia. Participants experienced psychological evaluation using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and were categorized according to the severity of dysphagia. Subsequently, descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the strength and significance of the relationship between variables. Results: A moderate, statistically significant correlation was found between anxiety and the severity of dysphagia (r = 0.590; p < 0.001), and between depression and the severity of dysphagia (r = 0.636; p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that anxiety and depression both accounted for 53.4% of the variance in the severity of dysphagia (R = 0.731; R² = 0.534; p < 0.001). The majority of patients with moderate to severe dysphagia also showed clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or depression. Conclusion: There is a strong relationship between emotional well-being and the severity of dysphagia. These results underscore the importance of psychological assessment and support as part of a multidisciplinary method for dysphagia management, ensuring that both the physical and mental health needs of patients are addressed for optimal recovery and quality of life.