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Intraobserver and interobserver reliability in laryngopharyngeal sensory discrimination thresholds: a pilot study
Jeffrey J Cunningham1, Stacey L Halum, Susan G Butler
1Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|September 13, 2007
Summary
Experienced doctors showed good reliability in Laryngopharyngeal sensory discrimination threshold (LPSDT) testing for swallowing disorders. However, agreement between different doctors was poor, indicating a need for standardization.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Swallowing Disorders
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Laryngopharyngeal sensory discrimination threshold (LPSDT) testing identifies sensory deficits in patients with suspected swallowing disorders.
- LPSDTs aid in stratifying aspiration risk and guiding dietary management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of LPSDT testing.
- To assess reliability across examiners with varying experience levels.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven healthy volunteers underwent LPSDT testing.
- Examiners included an attending laryngologist, a fellow, and a resident, blinded to results.
- Each subject was examined twice by one examiner and once by a different examiner.
Main Results:
- Strong intraobserver reliability was observed for experienced endoscopists (attending, fellow).
- Poor intraobserver reliability was found for novice endoscopists (resident).
- Interobserver reliability was poor across all experience levels.
Conclusions:
- Intraobserver reliability is good for experienced endoscopists in LPSDT testing.
- Interobserver agreement for LPSDTs is poor, regardless of examiner experience.
- A significant percentage (18%) of subjects exhibited elevated LPSDT thresholds.
