Screening tests for dysphagia have been introduced to prevent complications arising from dysphagia in stroke patients. Among them, Gugging swallowing screen (GUSS) was proven as an effective screening tests for dysphagia of stroke patients in 24 hours after onset. We compared several screening tests and clinical scales including GUSS.

Subjects were 37 stroke patients 3 months after onset. GUSS, 3 oz water test, Burke dysphagia screening test (BDST) and Standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) were carried out at bedside. VFS was performed in 24 hours after other studies were done. Functional dysphagia scale (FDS) and Penetration-aspiration scale (P/A scale) were derived from VFS. Clinical scales such as American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System (ASHA NOMS) swallowing scale and Clinical dysphagia scale (CDS) were measured to see the correlation between GUSS and another dysphagia scales.

GUSS had a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 69.2%. 3 oz water test had a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 76.9%. Sensitivity and specificity of BDST were respectively 90.9%, 61.5%. Sensitivity of SSA was 90.9%, specificity 61.5%. Correlation between GUSS and FDS was significant (r =−0.527, p<0.01). Correlation between GUSS and P/A scale also showed significance (r=−0.747, p<0.01). ASHA NOMS swallowing scale and GUSS showed significant correlation (r=0.432, p<0.01). CDS and GUSS showed significant correlation as well (r=−0.815, p<0.01).

The screening ability of GUSS was equal to other screening tests for dysphagia of stroke patients. Correlations among GUSS and other VFS and clinical scales showed availability of GUSS as a clinical scale for dysphagia.