Eating difficulties in people with dementia can lead to malnutrition, making early detection essential. A valid and reliable tool is needed to assess these difficulties. The Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia (EdFED) is commonly used, but studies on its inter-rater reliability are limited. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the EdFED, including interobserver agreement. Fifty-five people with dementia were assessed using the EdFED, Barthel Index, and Mini Nutritional Assessment. Two nurses observed patients during meals over two days. A total of 330 assessments were completed. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure, like the original. The scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87) and strong inter-rater reliability. Correlations with nutritional indicators supported construct validity. The findings confirm that the Turkish EdFED is a valid and reliable tool for assessing eating difficulties in people with dementia and may help prevent or reduce malnutrition.
Keywords: Dementia; Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia Scale (EdFED); Feeding Behavior; Inter-rater Reliability; Psychometrics.
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