Evaluation of patients at risk for aspiration with dysphagia screening checklist

iiABSTRACTMaster of Science ThesisEVALUATION OF PATIENTS AT RISK FOR ASPIRATION WITHDYSPHAGIA SCREENING CHECKLISTSONER CERAHAnadolu UniversityGraduate School of Health SciencesSpeech and Language Therapist ProgramSupervisor : Doç.Dr.Pınar EGE2006This study, attempts to validate the use of Checklist for DysphagiaScreening (YBTKL) to identify aspiration pneumania risk in patients who aresuspected of having dysphagia. First, YBTKL, a screening test, was administeredand then videofloroscopic modified barium swallowing, an imaging study, wasimplemented to identify the presence/absence of aspiration. YBTKL consists of28 items consisting of verbal questioning, observations and trial swallowings. Inthis study, YBTKL was administered to 56 patients who had various medicaldiagnoses. The results have been discussed statistically, clinically and comparingfindings of diagnostic and screening tests and their usefullness. 37 patient havebeen diagnosed with the presence of aspiration by means of modified bariumswallowing out of 56 patients who have been found at risk for aspirationaccording to YBTKL. Success in detecting the presence aspiration increases withthe increase in total score inYBTKL (Mann Whitney-U testi: p < 0,001).Keywords : Swallowing, Dysphagia, Aspiration, Screening Test