Sensitivity and specificity of V-VST in the clinical evaluation of subjects with COPD

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) protocol to detect the presence of dysphagia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to the videofluoroscopy. Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study with a convenience sample with individuals of both sexes, who entered in the Multiprofessional Program of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Participants performed a speech-language clinical swallow evaluation using the V-VST protocol and an instrument performed by swallowing videofluoroscopy, and the results of these values calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the V-VST. Results: were evaluated 29 subjects with mean age of 63.9 ± 8.6 years (range 40-78 years), the majority of males (51.7%). Evaluation according to the V-VST protocol demonstrated that the majority of participants had swallowing without changes (55.2%). The V-VST analysis presented low sensitivity (39.10%) and low specificity (33.30%) in relation to videofluoroscopy with a positive predictive value of 69.20%. Conclusion: The application of the V-VST protocol for clinical evaluation of swallowing presented low sensitivity and specificity in relation to videofluoroscopy to identify the presence of dysphagia in subjects with COPD.