The gugging swallowing screen: A contribution to the cultural and linguistic validation for the portuguese context

Abstract

Background: The use of new tools for early screening of dysphagia, which are validated and adapted to the Portuguese context, is imperative for the safety of inpatients. The Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) allows for the accurate assessment of swallowing disorders, the identification of dysphagia severity, and the recommendation of specific interventions. Objective: To translate and adapt the GUSS to the Portuguese context in acute patients and assess its psychometric properties. Methodology: Methodological study of translation and assessment of the psychometric properties of the GUSS using a sample of 174 acute patients. Internal consistency was analyzed, as well as interrater agreement, sensitivity, and specificity based on the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Internal consistency was 0.80 in the direct phase and 0.82 in the indirect phase, interrater agreement ranged from 0.818 to 0.905, sensitivity was 100%, and specificity was 43% and 56% (cutoff at 13.5 and 4.5). Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the GUSS proved to have excellent psychometric properties and can be applied to patients at the acute stage of disease.