Abstract
Nishimura K, Kagaya H, Shibata S, Onogi K, Inamoto Y, Ota K, Miki T, Tamura S, Saitoh E. Accuracy of Dysphagia Severity Scale rating without using videoendoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2015; 6: 124-128.
Objective: This study compared the Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS) scores obtained from clinical findings and screening tests by a skilled nurse with the DSS scores obtained by videoendoscopic evaluation of swallowing (VE).
Methods: Forty-five dysphagic patients (average age: 75 years) were enrolled in this study between July 2011 and March 2012. DSS scores were obtained from clinical findings and screening tests done by a certified nurse of dysphagia nursing (CNDN). DSS scores were re-evaluated by a dysphagia care team in swallowing rounds using VE. DSS scores obtained using our protocol, CNDN, and swallowing rounds were compared.
Results: DSS scores revealed 64% consistency between the protocol and the swallowing rounds, 91% consistency between the CNDN and the swallowing rounds, and 69% consistency between the protocol and the CNDN.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that the DSS scores based on clinical findings and screening tests obtained by a skilled CNDN are accurate and consistent with the DSS rating obtained by the swallowing rounds and the protocol.
