To assess the validity of Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) that allows separate evaluations for non-fluid and fluid textures for aspiration risk of acute strokepatients.
METHOD:
Fifty-five acute strokepatients were assessed prospectively. For interrater reliability, 2 independent physicians evaluated 40 patients in two hours. For external validity, another group of 15 patients were tested by dysphagia therapist. The validity of the GUSS was established by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). After GUSS, all patients were investigated by VFSS within 1 hour. To compare the results of VFSS, they were graded according to the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS).
This study proposes that GUSS is a reliable method in identifying strokepatients with aspiration risk. Such a graded assessment can provide less discomfort for those patientswho can continue with their oral feeding for semisolid food while refraining from drinking fluids.