Anit Behera1, Dana Read1, Nancy Jackson1, Bashar Saour1, Dana Alshekhlee1, Amy K Mosier2. 1. Center for Health Outcomes Research, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri; SSM HEALTH Rehabilitation Network, Saint Louis, Missouri; SSM HEALTH DePaul Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri; Neurology Department, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri. 2. Center for Health Outcomes Research, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri; SSM HEALTH Rehabilitation Network, Saint Louis, Missouri; SSM HEALTH DePaul Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri; Neurology Department, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri. Electronic address: akmosier@ssm-select.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early detection of dysphagia is critical to reducing hospital complications and length of stay in patients with various types of strokes. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the DePaul Hospital Swallow Screener (DHSS) tool to assess for dysphagia in patients with stroke. METHODS: This prospective observational study investigated patients admitted to a comprehensive stroke center. The DHSS is composed of a questionnaire containing 8 nonswallow items and a water swallow test. All patients admitted under a standard stroke protocol are screened by the nursing staff using the DHSS and then objectively evaluated by a speech-language pathologist using the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA). Validity measures and reliability through Cohen's κ-coefficient with associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 224 patients completed the DHSS and had at least 1 MASA score. The overall Content Validity Index score for the DHSS was .92. Compared with the MASA dysphagia cutoff value, the DHSS had a specificity of 93% and a sensitivity of 69%, and compared with the MASA aspiration risk cutoff value, the DHSS had a specificity of 90% and a sensitivity of 70%. Stratified analysis for those with any documented stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) compared with those admitted with transient ischemic attack or no stroke yielded similar sensitivity and specificity in both dysphagia and aspiration risk. CONCLUSION: The DHSS is a valid and reliable swallow screening tool with moderate agreement, high specificity, and reliable predictive values when compared with the MASA.
BACKGROUND: Early detection of dysphagia is critical to reducing hospital complications and length of stay in patients with various types of strokes. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the DePaul Hospital Swallow Screener (DHSS) tool to assess for dysphagia in patients with stroke. METHODS: This prospective observational study investigated patients admitted to a comprehensive stroke center. The DHSS is composed of a questionnaire containing 8 nonswallow items and a water swallow test. All patients admitted under a standard stroke protocol are screened by the nursing staff using the DHSS and then objectively evaluated by a speech-language pathologist using the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA). Validity measures and reliability through Cohen's κ-coefficient with associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 224 patients completed the DHSS and had at least 1 MASA score. The overall Content Validity Index score for the DHSS was .92. Compared with the MASA dysphagia cutoff value, the DHSS had a specificity of 93% and a sensitivity of 69%, and compared with the MASA aspiration risk cutoff value, the DHSS had a specificity of 90% and a sensitivity of 70%. Stratified analysis for those with any documented stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) compared with those admitted with transient ischemic attack or no stroke yielded similar sensitivity and specificity in both dysphagia and aspiration risk. CONCLUSION: The DHSS is a valid and reliable swallow screening tool with moderate agreement, high specificity, and reliable predictive values when compared with the MASA.
Authors: Barbara Schumacher Finnegan; Melissa M Meighan; Noelani C Warren; Meghan K Hatfield; Stacey Alexeeff; Jorge Lipiz; Mai Nguyen-Huynh Journal: Perm J Date: 2020-12
Authors: Elizabeth Boaden; Jane Burnell; Lucy Hives; Paola Dey; Andrew Clegg; Mary W Lyons; C Elizabeth Lightbody; Margaret A Hurley; Hazel Roddam; Elizabeth McInnes; Anne Alexandrov; Caroline L Watkins Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2021-10-18