Association between functionality assessment scales and the severity of dysphagia post-stroke.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the results of functionality scales and dysphagia severity determined from videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VSS) in post-stroke patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of 109 VSS analysis of post-stroke patients. From the exams was collected information on the diagnosis of dysphagia severity and evaluated regarding the swallowing functionality in an independent way by two evaluators.

Results: A high number of discrete dysphagia was observed. In one third of dysphagic patients it was noticed the presence of tracheal aspiration. There was a significant association between the scores of Functional Oral Intake Scale and Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale in post-stroke patients which means when the swallowing is highly compromised, the level of intake by mouth will be smaller according to the evaluators' analysis (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: There is an association between the scales and it can be used as evaluative benchmarks and in the management of clinical Speech Pathology intervention.