Assessment of Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale when using Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

Background: The dysphagia outcome and severity scale is a simple scale that gives a full picture of the dysphagic manifestations and rehabilitation needed for each patient to avoid the occurrence of aspiration and other complications that can result from dysphagia. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the validity of the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) in order to generalize its use as a complementary to Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS).Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 60 adult patients, complaining of dysphagia. All patients fulfilled the Dysphagia Handicap Index-Arabic version (DHI-A) and then were evaluated by Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) while using DOSS and PAS to obtain a full picture of their dysphagic manifestations. Comparison and analysis of their results were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Correlation between DOSS, PAS, and DHI-A were done. There was a statistically significant negative correlation (P 0.000) between DOSS and PAS during fluid, solid, and semisolid intake and total score of DHI-A whereas the correlation between PAS and DHI-A was of positive statistical significance (P 0.000).Conclusion: DOSS can be used effectively with FEES as a complementary to PAS.