History and Science behind the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (Eat-10): Lessons Learned.

INTRODUCTION: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is an underdiagnosed medical condition with a high prevalence in populations such as patients with frailty, neurological disease, or head and neck pathology. Potential barriers to its diagnosis include lack of (or low) awareness of the existence and severity of the condition, the hidden nature of the condition within the 'normal ageing' process, clinical limitations, and socioeconomic reasons. Consequently, an effective treatment is not systematically offered in a timely manner, and complications, such as dehydration and respiratory infections or aspiration pneumonia, can arise. To overcome this issue, the early use of screening questionnaires to identify people at risk of swallowing disorders represents the cornerstone of preventive medicine. Several screening tools have been created but few are widely used in clinical practice. The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) was developed as a quick, easy-to-understand, and self-administered screening tool for OD. METHODS: A literature review was conducted in five databases with no restrictions on the language, date of publication, or design of the study to identify aspects of the validation, applicability, and usefulness of EAT-10. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Transcultural adaptation and translation studies, as well as studies involving various types of patients with dysphagia in different settings have shown the validity and reliability of EAT-10 in relation to the gold standard and other validation tools. The use of this standardised screening tool could be used as a primary screening instrument of dysphagia in routine clinical practice across a wide range of diseases and settings and thereby increase the likelihood of early diagnosis and management of a condition that lead to serious complications and impaired quality of life.

Repeated exposure of the oral mucosa over 12 months with cold plasma is not carcinogenic in mice.

Peri-implantitis may result in the loss of dental implants. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) was suggested to promote re-osseointegration, decrease antimicrobial burden, and support wound healing. However, the long-term risk assessment of CAP treatment in the oral cavity has not been addressed. Treatment with two different CAP devices was compared against UV radiation, carcinogen administration, and untreated conditions over 12 months. Histological analysis of 406 animals revealed that repeated CAP exposure did not foster non-invasive lesions or squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs). Carcinogen administration promoted non-invasive lesions and SCCs. Molecular analysis by a qPCR screening of 144 transcripts revealed distinct inflammatory profiles associated with each treatment regimen. Interestingly, CAP treatment of carcinogen-challenged mucosa did not promote but instead left unchanged or reduced the proportion of non-invasive lesions and SCC formation. In conclusion, repeated CAP exposure of murine oral mucosa was well tolerated, and carcinogenic effects did not occur, motivating CAP applications in patients for dental and implant treatments in the future.

Union of the European Phoniatricians' position statement on the exit strategy of phoniatric and laryngological services: staying safe and getting back to normal after the peak of coronavirus disease 2019 (issued on 25th May 2020).

BACKGROUND: The following position statement from the Union of the European Phoniatricians, updated on 25th May 2020 (superseding the previous statement issued on 21st April 2020), contains a series of recommendations for phoniatricians and ENT surgeons who provide and/or run voice, swallowing, speech and language, or paediatric audiology services. OBJECTIVES: This material specifically aims to inform clinical practices in countries where clinics and operating theatres are reopening for elective work. It endeavours to present a current European view in relation to common procedures, many of which fall under the aegis of aerosol generating procedures. CONCLUSION: As evidence continues to build, some of the recommended practices will undoubtedly evolve, but it is hoped that the updated position statement will offer clinicians precepts on safe clinical practice.

The efficacy of myofunctional therapy in patients with atypical swallowing.

PURPOSE: The myofunctional treatment (MFT) is a conventional therapy in the treatment of oral disease like atypical swallowing (AS). Functional (standardized surface electromyographic analysis-ssEMG) and clinical ("orofacial muscular evaluation with score" protocol-OMES) analyses were conducted to detect the effects of MFT (10 weeks session) in a group of patients with AS. METHODS: ssEMG was performed to analyze the activity of masseter (MM), temporalis (TA), and submental (SM) muscles before (T1) and after (T2) the MFT in a group of 15 patients. OMES was completed at the same timepoints. A Student-t test was carried out to detect differences between T1 and T2 for ssEMG data, and a signed RANK test was used for OMES ones. One-way ANOVA variance test was performed to detect any differences between the different couples of muscles at each timepoint. RESULTS: After MFT, patients showed a shorter duration of the whole act of swallowing (p < .0001), higher intensity of the SM activity (p < .01) than at T1. At T2 masticatory muscles showed lower values for the activation index (ANOVA, p < .0001) and for the spike position (ANOVA, p < .01) than SM. The OMES protocol showed a significant increase for the total evaluation score (p < .01), appearance-posture (p < .01) and functions (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: MFT permits a shortening of the muscular activation pattern and an increase in SM activity. The improvement of oral functionalities is possible and identifiable thanks to the use of standardized protocols.

Vocal Tract Discomfort and Dysphonia in Patients Undergoing Empiric Therapeutic Trial with Proton Pump Inhibitor for Suspected Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

INTRODUCTION: the aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation among dysphonic and vocal tract discomfort symptoms in patients who underwent empiric therapeutic trial with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for a suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients with suspected LPR were enrolled in this study. All of them were evaluated using the reflux finding score, the reflux symptom Index (RSI), the vocal tract discomfort scale (VTDS), and the voice symptom scale (VoiSS) before and after the PPI treatment. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between pretreatment and posttreatment reflux finding score, RSI, VTDS, and VoiSS scores. Significant correlations among RSI, VTDS, and VoiSS before the PPI treatment were found. CONCLUSION: PPI treatment determined a significant improvement of symptoms related to dysphonia and vocal tract discomfort in patients with suspected LPR, in addition, significant correlations among the RSI, VTDS, and VoiSS scores were demonstrated thus suggesting that LPR might influence the response of questionnaires not specifically developed in order to assess the complains in LPR patient.

The role of progestogen supplementation (dydrogesterone) in the prevention of preeclampsia.

Our goal was determine the effects of dydrogesterone supplementation to reduce the incidence of preeclampsia (PE) in early pregnancy (from 6 to 20 weeks of gestation). A total of 406 pregnant women were involved into the study. The Study group enrolled 169 women, supplemented with dydrogesterone at a dose of 30 mg/d 6-20 weeks of gestation compared with the control group (237 subjects) - without dydrogesterone supplementation. The women were randomized by age, race, obstetrics complications, and their somatic history. The use of dydrogesterone in early pregnancy - before 20 weeks of gestation (at a dose of 30 mg/d) with high-risk factors of PE contributed to a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of this complication (13.1% and 71.4%, p < .001). It was seen, that women who took dydrogesterone developed significantly less such disorders like hypertension (3.2% and 71.2%, p < .001), proteinuria (0.0% and 66.18%, p < .001), fetal growth retardation syndrome (2.2% and 21.58%, p < .001), destroy of uteri-placenta velocity (3.2% and 21.58%, p < .001), preterm labor (8.6% and 53.95%, p < .001). Dydrogesterone supplementation in the first and second period of pregnancy (from 6 to 20 weeks of gestation) significantly reduced the incidence of PE in women with higher risk pregnancy.

Progestogens and immunology.

Fifty percent of fetal antigens are of paternal origin. These are recognized by the maternal immune system, thereby resulting in lymphocyte activation and the induction of progesterone receptors (PRs) in immune cells. Upon binding of progesterone to PRs on lymphocytes, a downstream mediator called progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is produced. The full-length PIBF is a 90 kDa protein; however, because of alternative splicing, several smaller isoforms are also produced. While the 90 kDa molecule plays a role in cell cycle regulation, the small isoforms are localized in the cytoplasm, and after secretion, they bind to their receptors on other cells and act in a cytokine-like manner. The communication between the embryo and the maternal immune system is established through PIBF-containing extracellular vesicles. PIBF induces an increased production of Th2 cytokines and inhibits degranulation of NK cells, and by regulating the maternal immune response, it contributes to successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy.

Double-blind, randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of saline nasal irrigation with sodium hyaluronate after endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: There is a growing interest in sodium hyaluronate for the clinical management of patients who undergo functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis, because of the mucosal regenerative properties of this macromolecule. However, its role in post-operative care is still debated. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sodium hyaluronate administered via nasal irrigation with saline, in the post-operative period, after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: A multicentric, prospective, randomised, double-blind, parallel group study was conducted on 56 consecutive patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps. Group 1 received the standard therapy of normal saline; group 2 received saline plus sodium hyaluronate. RESULTS: Both objective and subjective measurements, in terms of endoscopic appearance and patient-reported satisfaction, were significantly better in group 2 compared to group 1. CONCLUSION: Sodium hyaluronate may be a useful adjunct to nasal saline irrigation in the early post-operative period following functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in singers: Pathophysiology, clinical findings and perspectives of a new patient-reported outcome instrument.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is an inflammatory disease associated with the development of voice disorder and vocal fold lesions. The occurrence of LPR in professional voice users as singers can have a dramatic impact of daily life. The aims of this paper is to review the current literature about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of voice disorder, especially in singers, and to propose a new patient-reported outcome instrument to assess complaints of these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Many clinical and experimental studies reported that LPR leads to the development of significant macroscopic and microscopic histological changes in the mucosa of the vibratory margin of the vocal folds. Epithelial cell dehiscence, microtraumas, Reinke's space modifications, inflammatory infiltrates, mucosal drying, and epithelial thickening are associated with LPR. These histological changes may modify the biomechanical properties of the vocal fold tissue leading to hoarseness. In practice, singers with LPR may have normal or discretely pathological speaking voice but impaired singing voice (vocal fatigue, hoarseness, and loss of range). To date, the literature about the specific LPR signs and symptoms in singers is almost non-existent. However, singers are at high risk to present LPR because of necessary air support involving higher intra-abdominal pressure, increased stress due to career management and uncomfortable schedules, late meals just before sleep, bad nutrition habits like increased intake of citrus products, fats foods and spicy foods. PERSPECTIVES: The lack of clinical singer-reported outcome instrument may decrease the management of LPR in singers. In this context, the LPR Study Group of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS) developed a new instrument to precisely assess symptoms related to LPR in singing voice. This instrument will be validated and could be used in clinical practice in voice centers.

The development of new clinical instruments in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: The international project of young otolaryngologists of the International Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of placebo controlled randomized trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of medical treatments over placebo in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane database, and Scopus were assessed for subject headings using the PRISMA recommendations. Placebo RCTs published between 1990 and 2018 describing clinical evolution throughout LPR treatment were extracted and analyzed for evidence-based level, number of patients, inclusion and exclusion criteria, gender, age, symptoms and signs used as therapeutic outcomes, and treatment schemes. RESULTS: The database search identified 15 placebo RCTs with a total of 763 patients. The mean age of patients was 48.59 years and 52.68% of patients were female. Among the 15 placebo RCTs, 9 have demonstrated a partial or total superiority of a medical treatment over placebo. Most of authors based the LPR diagnosis on symptoms and signs without additional examination. Our analysis reveals an important heterogeneity between studies with regard to the diagnosis criteria, treatment schemes and signs and symptoms used as therapeutic outcomes. Many commonly reported signs and symptoms related to LPR were not used as therapeutic outcomes. Half of the authors did not prescribe diet and behavioral changes along the treatment. CONCLUSION: The controversy in the RCTs about the superiority of medical treatment over placebo in LPR disease is probably due to discrepancies in the diagnosis method, exclusion criteria, therapeutic schemes and the lack of comprehensive tools for the assessment of signs and symptoms. In this context, the LPR Study Group of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies developed two new instruments to precisely assess signs and symptoms throughout the treatment. These two instruments could be used in future trials comparing medical treatment over placebo in LPR disease.

Efficacy of microsurgery in Reinke's oedema evaluated by traditional voice assessment integrated with the Vocal Extent Measure (VEM).

SUMMARY: There are few data analysing to what specific extent phonomicrosurgery improves vocal function in patients suffering from Reinke's oedema (RE). The recently introduced parameter vocal extent measure (VEM) seems to be suitable to objectively quantify vocal performance. The purpose of this clinical prospective study was to investigate the outcomes of phonomicrosurgery in 60 RE patients (6 male, 54 female; 56 ± 8 years ([mean ± SD]) by analysing its effect on subjective and objective vocal parameters with particular regard to VEM. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at three months after surgery by comparing pre- and postoperative videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS), auditory-perceptual assessment (RBH-status), voice range profile (VRP), acoustic-aerodynamic analysis and patient's self-assessment using the voice handicap index (VHI-9i). Phonomicrosurgically, all RE were carefully ablated. VLS revealed removal or substantial reduction of oedema with restored periodic vocal fold vibration. All subjective and most objective acoustic and aerodynamic parameters significantly improved. The VEM increased on average from 64 ± 37 to 88 ± 25 (p #x003C; 0.001) and the dysphonia severity index (DSI) from 0.5 ± 3.4 to 2.9 ± 1.9. Both parameters correlated significantly with each other (rs = 0.70). RBH-status revealed less roughness, breathiness and overall grade of hoarseness (2.0 ± 0.7 vs 1.3 ± 0.7). The VHI-9i-score decreased from 18 ± 8 to 12 ± 9 points. The average total vocal range enlarged by 4 ± 7 semitones, and the mean speaking pitch rose by 2 ± 4 semitones. These results confirm that: (1) the use of VEM in RE patients objectifies and quantifies their vocal capacity as documented in the VRP, and (2) phonomicrosurgery is an effective, objectively and subjectively satisfactory therapy to improve voice in RE patients.

Efficacy of trans-nasal fiberendoscopic injection laryngoplasty with centrifuged autologous fat in the treatment of glottic insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

SUMMARY: The objective of this work is to evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of trans-nasal fiberendoscopic injection laryngoplasty (IL) with centrifuged autologous fat, performed under local anaesthesia, in the treatment of glottic insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). It is a within-subject study with follow-up 1 week after phonosurgery and after 6 months. A total of 22 patients with chronic dysphonia caused by glottic insufficiency due to UVFP were enrolled. Each patient underwent trans-nasal IL with centrifuged autologous fat through flexible operative endoscope under local anaesthesia and was evaluated before and twice (1 week and 6 months) after phonosurgery, using a multidimensional set of investigations. The assessment protocol included videolaryngostroboscopy, perceptual evaluation of dysphonia, maximum phonation time and patient's self-assessment on voice-related quality of life (QOL) with the Voice Handicap Index-10 and the comparative self-assessment on vocal fatigue and voice quality pre-post treatment. Trans-nasal IL with centrifuged autologous fat was performed in all 22 patients and there were no complications in any case. Significant improvements in videolaryngostroboscopic findings, perceptual evaluation of dysphonia, maximum phonation time and QoL self-assessment were reported after 1 week and were maintained at 6 months. In one patient, the result after 6 months was not satisfactory and this patient then underwent a medialization laryngoplasty (thyroplasty type I) with satisfactory long-term results. In conclusion, trans-nasal fiberendoscopic IL with centrifuged autologous fat seems to be a safe, feasible and efficacious phonosurgical procedure for treatment of glottic insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Horizontal lateral lamella as a risk factor for iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak. Clinical retrospective evaluation of 24 cases.

BACKGROUND: Several authors highlighted the limitations of the Keros classification system in predicting intracranial entry risk. Recently, our group proposed a new classification system based on the angle formed between the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate (LLCP) and the continuation of an horizontal plane passing through the cribriform plate (Gera classification). The aim of this study was to analyze whether the risk of iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF-L) was better predicted by Keros or Gera classification. METHODOLOGY: The pre-operative CT scans of 24 patients (CSF-L group) who suffered from iatrogenic CSF-L during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) were compared to those obtained from a group of 100 patients who underwent uneventful ESS (control group). The skull base measurements as well as the distribution of Keros and Gera classes in the 2 groups were analyzed. RESULTS: No difference in the distribution of Keros classes or in the depth of the cribriform plate between CSF-L and control group were demonstrated. On the contrary, significant differences in the distribution of Gera classes and in the degree of the angle formed by the LLCP and the continuation of the horizontal plane passing through the cribriform plate were found. In particular, according to Gera classification system, 19 out of 24 patients in the CSF-L group were considered at risk for iatrogenic CSF-L. CONCLUSIONS: Gera classification system might be more sensitive to anatomical variations associated with CSF-L than the Keros one, further suggesting the application of the former during the preoperative CT scan evaluation.

Operation, hormone therapy and recovery of the patients with severe forms of adenomyosis.

Endometriosis is among the prevalent gynecological diseases and diagnosed in 10% of women of reproductive age. Endometriosis/adenomyosis is becoming increasingly a health-social problem, which is associated with severe clinical manifestations and recurrent disease which has a negative effect on quality of life, women ability to work and her reproductive function. This article presents modern approaches of drug therapy to treat severe forms of adenomyosis. We have reviewed recent major studies in the field of surgical treatment of this disease, analyzed the main stages of disease progress and the results of our surgeries. Here, we are presenting our own results of long-term post-operative hormonal therapy and complex medical treatment.

Voice Improvement in Patients with Functional Dysphonia Treated with the Proprioceptive-Elastic (PROEL) Method.

The objective of the study was to analyze the outcome of the proprioceptive-elastic (PROEL) voice therapy method in patients with functional dysphonia (FD). Fifty-two patients with FD were involved in the study; they were composed of three subgroups of patients with (1) FD without glottal insufficiency (n = 28), (2) FD and glottal insufficiency (n = 9), and (3) FD, glottal insufficiency, and vocal nodules (n = 15). A multidimensional assessment protocol including videolaryngostroboscopy; maximum phonation time; perceptual evaluation of dysphonia with the Grade, Instability, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain (GIRBAS) scale; and 10-item version of the Voice Handicap Index was conducted before and after 15 sessions of voice therapy. All voice therapy sessions were conducted by the same speech-language pathologist. The comparison between voice assessment before and after voice therapy with the PROEL method in patients with FD, in all the three subgroups, revealed a statistically significant improvement in periodicity and the mucosal wave in the laryngostroboscopy, maximum phonation time, GIRBAS scale scores, and VHI-10. Voice of patients with FD improved after treatment with the PROEL method. Further studies are needed to analyze the efficacy of the PROEL method with randomized double-blind clinical trials using different methods for voice therapy. At present, the PROEL method represents an alternative tool for the speech pathologist to improve voice in patients with FD.

Early prelingual auditory development in Italian infants and toddlers analysed through the Italian version of the Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (I-IT-MAIS), and to assess the normal trajectory of early prelingual auditory (EPLAD) development from birth to 24 months in a group of normal-hearing Italian children using the I-IT-MAIS. METHODS: The study consisted of four phases: item generation, reliability analysis, assessment of the normal trajectory for EPLAD, and validity analysis. A group of 120 normal-hearing children and a group of 31 deaf children wearing hearing aids and on a waiting list for cochlear implantation were enrolled. All the parents completed the I-IT-MAIS. Sixty of them completed the I-IT-MAIS twice, 2 weeks apart, for test-retest reliability analysis. The I-IT-MAIS scores were used to assess the normal trajectory of EPLAD development from birth to 24 months in normal-hearing children. For criterion validity analysis, the I-IT-MAIS scores were correlated with production of infant scale evaluation (PRISE) scores in 60 normal-hearing children. For discriminant validity analysis, the I-IT-MAIS scores obtained in normal and deaf children were compared. RESULTS: Internal consistency of I-IT-MAIS was satisfactory as well as individual item reliability, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity. EPLAD development in normal-hearing Italian-speaking children was evaluated. As far as the criterion validity of the I-IT-MAIS is concerned, a strong correlation between I-IT-MAIS and PRISE scores was found. CONCLUSION: I-IT-MAIS is reliable and valid. Its application is recommended for clinical practice and outcome research.

Lateral lamella of the cribriform plate, a keystone landmark: proposal for a novel classification system.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to propose a classification of the angle formed by the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate (LLCP) and the horizontal plane passing through the cribriform plate. In particular, the angle was classified into class I (over 80 degrees), class II (45 to 80 degrees, and class III (under 45 degrees) METHODOLOGY: A total of 190 computed tomography scans were retrospectively reviewed in order to obtain four sets of measurements. 1) depth of the cribriform, 2) angle, 3) length of the LLCP, 4) width of the fovea ethmoidalis. The relationship among these measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: The angle was significantly correlated with the depth of the cribriform and the length of the fovea, while it was negatively correlated with the length of the LLCP. Significant negative correlation was also found between the length of the LLCP and the width of the fovea. CONCLUSIONS: This angle classification is based on the theoretical risk of iatrogenic injuries, but it could be helpful also in clinical practice by providing indirect information on the thickness of the anterior skull base. As the angle decreases, in fact, the portion of the anterior skull base composed by the LLCP, increases.

Blast-related disinhibition and risk seeking in mice and combat Veterans: Potential role for dysfunctional phasic dopamine release.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by exposure to high explosives has been called the "signature injury" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a wide array of chronic neurological and behavioral symptoms associated with blast-induced mTBI. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we used a battlefield-relevant mouse model of blast-induced mTBI and in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to investigate whether the mesolimbic dopamine system contributes to the mechanisms underlying blast-induced behavioral dysfunction. In mice, blast exposure increased novelty seeking, a behavior closely associated with disinhibition and risk for subsequent maladaptive behaviors. In keeping with this, we found that veterans with blast-related mTBI reported greater disinhibition and risk taking on the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe). In addition, in mice we report that blast exposure causes potentiation of evoked phasic dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Taken together these findings suggest that blast-induced changes in the dopaminergic system may mediate aspects of the complex array of behavioral dysfunctions reported in blast-exposed veterans.

Dysphagia screening in subacute care settings using the Italian version of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (I-RBWH) dysphagia screening tool.

The large majority of the available dysphagia screening tools has been developed for the stroke population. Only few screening tools are suitable for heterogeneous groups of patients admitted to a subacute care unit. The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) dysphagia screening tool is a nurse-administered, evidence-based swallow screening tool for generic acute hospital use that demonstrates excellent sensitivity and specificity. No Italian version of this tool is available to date. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and screening accuracy of the Italian version of the RBWH (I-RBWH) dysphagia screening tool. A total of 105 patients consecutively admitted to a subacute care unit were enrolled. Using the I-RBWH tool, each patient was evaluated twice by trained nurses and once by a speech and language pathologist (SLP) blind to nurses' scores. The SLP also performed standardised clinical assessment of swallowing using the Mann assessment of swallowing ability (MASA). During the first and the second administration of the I-RBWH by nurses, 28 and 27 patients, respectively, were considered at risk of dysphagia, and 27 were considered at risk after SLP assessment. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was satisfactory. Comparison between nurse I-RBWH scores and MASA examination demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of the I-RBWH dysphagia screening tool up to 93% and 96%, respectively; the positive and negative predictive values were 90% and 97%, respectively. Thus, the current findings support the reliability and accuracy of the I-RBWH tool for dysphagia screening of patients in subacute settings. Its application in clinical practice is recommended.