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[Dysphagia] Mild, moderate etc



The Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale is quite useful (K.H. O'Neil et
al).  A 1-7 scale with relatively detailed descriptions at each level.
A couple examples from the scale:  

Level 7 = Normal in all situations, normal diet, no strategies or extra
time needed. 

Level 5 = Mild dysphagia: distant supervision, may need one diet
consistency restricted.  May exhibit one or more of the following:
aspiration of thin liquids only but with strong reflexive cough to clear
completely, airway penetration midway to cords with one or more
consistency....and so on.  

I've found clinicially that the DOSS takes more of the whole picture of
swallowing into account and the ratings and definitions give a more
detailed account of the swallow (textures, usefulness of strategies,
need for non-oral, etc.) 

In terms of gauging severity of the swallow, you could also use the ASHA
NOMS Swallowing scale.

SWAL-QOL has usefulness in many ways, one of which is in gauging the
pt's perspective on the impact of swallowing difficulties.  Therefore
the patient may perceive a much greater (or far less) impact of their
swallowing functioning than a clinician, family member, MD, etc.  

Tom S

-----Original Message-----
From: dysphagia-bounces at b9.com [mailto:dysphagia-bounces at b9.com] On
Behalf Of Irene Campbell-Taylor
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2007 7:45 PM
To: dysphagia at b9.com
Subject: [Dysphagia] Mild, moderate etc

The only thing I know of is the Penetration  Aspiration Scale:
   
  The 8-Point Penetration Aspiration Scale
   
   
  1.      Material does not enter the airway
   
  2.      Material enters the airway, remains above the vocal folds, and
is ejected from the airway
   
  3.      Material enters the airway, remains above the vocal folds, and
is not ejected from the airway
   
  4.      Material enters the airway, contacts the vocal folds, and is
ejected from the airway
   
  5.      Material enters the airway, contacts the vocal folds, and is
not ejected from the airway
   
  6.      Material enters the airway, passes below the vocal folds, and
is ejected into the larynx or out of the airway
   
  7.      Material enters the airway, passes below the vocal folds, and
is not ejected from the trachea despite effort
   
  Material enters the airway, passes below the vocal folds, and no
effort is made to eject
  Rosenbek, J. C., Robbins J., Roecker E. V., Coyle, J. L., & Woods, J.
L. (1996).  A Penetration-Aspiration Scale.  Dysphagia, 11, 93-98, 1996.
   
  Daniels et al applied it thus:
   
  No Risk
   1 Normal: No airway invasion.
   
  2 Mild : Bolus enters into airway with clearing.
   
  Risk of Aspiration 
   
  3 Moderate:  Bolus enters into airway without clearing.
  4 Moderate Bolus:  contacts vocal cords with airway clearing.
  5 Moderate Bolus:  contacts vocal cords without airway clearing.
   
  Positive Aspiration
   
   6 Severe :Bolus enters trachea and is cleared into larynx or out of
airway.
  7 Severe:  Bolus enters trachea and is not cleared despite attempts.
  8 Severe:  Bolus enters trachea and no attempt is made to clear.
   
  I've never found it particularly useful.


Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
Exclusive Distributor:
www.interactivetherapy.com
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