Clinical Validity of the Functional Dysphagia Scale Based on Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study

Objective: The functional dysphagia scale based on video-fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFS scale) is a numeric scale that is directly converted from physiologic parameters of videofluoroscopic swallowing study. We intended to show the clinical validity of the VFS scale by comparing the scale with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurements System Swallowing Scale (ASHA scale) which is a clinical outcome scale based on patient's feeding ability and independence level. Method: Total 101 patients underwent the videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and the VFS scale and ASHA scale were measured, We compared the two scales by means of Spearman correlation. Results; In 101 patients, the correlation between the two scales was statistically significant (Spearman's correlation coefficient=-0.536, p=0.000001). Conclusion: There was close relationship between the physlogic parameters observed during videofluoroscopy and the level of feeding ability and independence. So the VFS scale which is based on the physiologic parameters is clinically valid.