CONTRIBUTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONING, DISABILITY AND HEALTH (ICF) TO EVALUATE NEUROGENIC DYSPHAGIA IN THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Swallowing is a highly complex and dynamic so that any change in the mechanism of sensory or neuromotor control may compromise the safe transport of the bolus, characterizing dysphagia. However, it is known that changes in the transport of the bolus, featuring dysphagia, go well beyond the mechanical process, relating to nutritional status and lung, as well as the pleasure of eating and socializing. In neurogenic impairments, some causes of dysphagia are disorders such as Stroke, Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), among others. Due to the potential risk of aspiration in dysphagia, assessment is based on the medical model with conducting objective tests such as videofluoroscopy, which is considered the gold standard when combined with clinical assessment. However, within the concept of comprehensive health care, we emphasize the limitations and social distress experienced by the individual with dysphagia. The evaluation of dysphagia in the light of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) understands this concept, in order to allow the expansion of the assessment and rehabilitation. Given the impact that the neurogenic dysphagia can lead to the quality of life of patients and their families, this research aims at investigating the relationship between the clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluations of swallowing and ICF, analyzing the contributions of this instrument. In addition, we intend to identify the aging process may influence the correlation between the data from assessments and ICF domains. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, which participate in patients with neurogenic dysphagia and aged above 30 years. Data collection will take place for conducting the assessment procedures swallowing, namely Clinical Assessment and Evaluation Fluoroscopy, beyond the implementation of the roadmap based on the ICF domains. This work is expected to provide a basis for understanding the ICF in the context of dysphagia and its use as an evaluation tool.