Validation of Clinical Dysphagia Scale: Based on Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study

Objective: Dysphagia is one of the important determinants of the prognosis for various diseases. Clinical dysphagia scale (CDS) was developed to screen dysphagia after stroke. We aimed to reevaluate this scale with comparison to the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) findings. Method: Retrospective chart reviews were completed on 677 dysphagic patients undergoing the VFSS from July 2000 to January 2004. CDS was evaluated by a physiatrist before the VFSS. Functional dysphagia scale, new VFSS scale, and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System swallowing scale (ASHA NOMS scale) were evaluated based on the VFSS. The correlations between CDS and these VFSS scales were studied. In 118 patients, followed up for more than 6 months, the initial CDS were analysed with the follow-up VFSS findings. Results: CDS was correlated with the VFSS findings and also correlated in disease groups other than stroke (p