The value of bedside tests in dysphagia evaluation

Bedside tests are important predictor of aspiration during swallowing and they are the most widely used tests. Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is one of the important tests for dysphagia evaluation. The aim of this work is to answer the question, what is the value of bedside tests in comparison to the results of FEES among our population.ObjectiveTo assess the value of bedside tests in comparison with FEES.Patients and methods74 patients were presented to phoniatrics clinic for the assessment of swallowing difficulties during the period from May 2011 to August 2013. They were 47 males and 27 females with a mean age of 52 years and range between 20 and 91 years.Aspiration correlates were assessed using bedside tests (water swallow test, pulse oximetry and gag reflex). FEES was performed to most of the patients to detect sensitivity and specificity in comparison with bedside tests.ResultsDysphagia was recorded in 56% of the patients. Bedside tests showed 73% sensitivity and 68% specificity when correlated with FEES. Moreover combination of voice change and chocking/cough results in sensitivity of 86.5% and specificity of 75.2%.ConclusionBedside tests are highly sensitive and specific for the detection of dysphagia. Combination of chocking/cough and change of voice as parameters of aspiration compared with FEES showed high sensitivity and specificity.