How can we identify the individuals at risk or already suffering from dysphagia? Dr. Kala Kaspar describes the role of the EAT-10 questionnaire in the early screening and care of dysphagic patients. The questionnaire has its roots in a 1999 pan-European study conducted in over 50 nursing homes across France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Certain symptoms of swallowing disorders were found in over half of the residents involved – urgently calling for evidence-based tools to identify individuals at risk.
The EAT-10 questionnaire was developed in response to this need. Kaspar reviews the development of EAT-10 by a multi-disciplinary group of dysphagia experts, from the selection of questions to experimental validation in healthy and dysphagic individuals. Why is this tool so effective? EAT-10 is cheap, reliable, user-friendly and successfully distinguishes between healthy adults and those with symptoms of swallowing difficulties. Kaspar concludes by encouraging healthcare professionals in all settings to use this practical tool to identify those who need further treatment and follow-up.