ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the correlation between item d560 of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the swallowing function of convalescing stroke patients.Methods:A total of 140 convalescent stroke survivors were evaluated for dysphagia using the ICF-d560 and the modified Watian drinking water test. Linear regression was used to analyze the influence of clinical factors when choosing a swallowing function assessment scale. Spearman correlation was computed to explore the correlation between ICF item d560 and the modified Watian drinking water test.Results:According to the ICF-d560 results, 10% of the patients had a mild disorder, with another 37.1% moderate, 29.3% severe and 23.6% completely dysphagic. The corresponding percentages according to the improved Watian drinking water test were 44.3% mild, 31.4% moderate and 24.3% severe. The total correlation coefficient between the two sets of results was 0.86, which was related to the stroke type, age, gender and stroke risk factors. The correlation coefficient of the cerebral infarction group was significantly higher than the cerebral hemorrhage group′s coefficient, and that of the women was slightly higher than that of the men. The strength of the correlation increased with age. The correlation coefficient was 0.84 among both diabetics and hypertension sufferers.Conclusions:Results from the ICF-d560 and the modified Wada drinking water test correlate well, which can provide a screening tool for swallowing function based on the ICF theoretical framework.