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A Methodology for the Inclusion of Laboratory Assessment in the Evaluation of Dysphagia

Department of Audiology & Speech Pathology, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Murfreesboro, TN

John R. Ashford

Tennessee State University; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN

Detecting aspiration appears to be a major objective of any assessment for oropharyngeal dysphagia as a precursor to preventing pneumonia development. Convincing evidence supporting this clinical belief remains elusive. To the contrary, other variables of the patient's prevailing health status appear to be much better predictors. The purposes of this article are to discuss dysphagia as it relates to a specific health status model, to describe how specific blood tests are used to examine health status variables, and to provide discussion of the use of laboratory assessments to examine immune system status and infection and their potential relationship with pneumonia.