[Validation of the eat-10 score to detect dysphagia in older people]

In Chile, comprehensive geriatric assessment does not include the identification of dysphagia, despite being considered a geriatric syndrome. The Eating Assessment Tool 10 (EAT-10) questionnaire is a 10-question instrument that specifically describes the perception of dysphagia and has a Spanish translation.

To validate and test the reliability of the EAT-10 questionnaire in Chilean older people living in the community.

The EAT-10 score was applied to 80 participants aged 75 ± 14 years (51 women). Other observer, blinded to the result of the score, performed the volume-viscosity swallow test as the gold standard to assess dysphagia.

The translated version of the EAT-10 had a strong internal consistency (Cronbach alfa =0.89) and interobserver consistency (100%). Using a score of seven as cutoff point, the EAT-10 had a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 86% to detect dysphagia, when compared with the volume-viscosity swallow test.

The EAT-10 questionnaire is valid and reliable and can be used as a clinical instrument in primary care in our country to identify older people with dysphagia.