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.