Clinical validation of the RaDI oropharyngeal dysphagia screening tool in older adults

Purpose  To identify and verify the accuracy of oropharyngeal dysphagia screening in older patients hospitalized or undergoing outpatient follow-up, and to associate the presence of dysphagia with the main comorbidities in this population.

Methods  This is a cross-sectional study with older patients hospitalized in wards or seeking outpatient consultations at a public referral hospital in Northeastern Brazil. The study applied the Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Screening in Older Adults (RaDI), as well as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in a subgroup of patients.

Results  The instrument identified a significant number of older patients with signs suggestive of oropharyngeal dysphagia and showed a consistent association with the reference examination used and an association with neurological, pulmonary, and cardiological comorbidities.

Conclusion  RaDI is a practical and useful tool for dysphagia screening in older people, showing relevant clinical agreement with FEES and potential for application in hospital and outpatient settings.

Keywords:
Deglutition Disorders; Aged; Data Accuracy; Mass Screening; Reproducibility of Results