VALIDATION OF THE 50ML(3) DRINKING TEST FOR EVALUATION OF POSTSTROKE DYSPHAGIA

Aspiration pneumonias are frequent complications of cerebrovascular ac cidents (CVA). They occur mainly in patients suffering from swallowing disorders following the CVA. These patients can be diagnosed using a bedside swallowing evaluation. This evaluation is based on observation of some components of the oral and pharyngeal stages of the swallowin g process and on a drinking test of 50 ml(3) of clear liquids. Changin g the mode of swallowing and the consistency of the diet according to the swallowing evaluation following CVA can reduce significantly the f requency of aspiration pneumonias. In our patient cohort, consisting o f 180 patients admitted for stroke rehabilitation, aspiration pneumoni as occurred in 10% and swallowing disorders were found in 28%. The adm inistration of a structured swallowing evaluation was associated with a gradual reduction of frequency of pneumonia from 16% in the first gr oup of 60 patients to 3% in the last group of 60 patients or, if consi dering only patients suffering from dysphagia, from 27% in the first g roup of patients to none in the last group of patients.