Is the Munich dysphagia Test-Parkinson's disease (MDT-PD) a valid screening tool for patients at risk for aspiration?

Dysphagia is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and leads to pneumonia, malnutrition, and reduced quality of life. For detecting dysphagia-exposed PD patients, the Munich dysphagia test-Parkinson's disease (MDT-PD) is a patient self-reported tool that has been developed specifically for PD patients. The MDT-PD is available in both German and English. This study aimed to ascertain whether the MDT-PD can detect aspiration in PD patients and, therefore, serve as a suitable screening tool.

In a controlled, cross-sectional, observational study, a total of 119 PD outpatients were examined clinically and were evaluated by the MDT-PD and the one swallowing question (NMS-3) from the nonmotor symptom questionnaire for Parkinson's disease (NMSQuest). The results of the MDT-PD and the NMS-3 were compared to the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) rating defined by flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

Half of the patients with aspiration as determined using FEES were not detected by the MDT-PD and NMS-3 self-reported tools. The proportion of false positive patients was high with both tools. The sensitivity of the MDT-PD to detect patients who are at risk for aspiration is insufficient (0.37) and not superior to applying the dysphagia screening question from the NMSQuest (0.5).

This study reveals that the MDT-PD is not suitable for detecting aspiration in PD patients and, therefore, cannot be considered as a screening tool for aspiration. However, at present, there is no alternative validated screening tool that can reliably detect aspiration in PD patients. A readjustment of the MDT-PD is urgently needed.