Intraobserver and interobserver reliability in laryngopharyngeal sensory discrimination thresholds: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Laryngopharyngeal sensory discrimination threshold (LPSDT) testing is a method used to detect sensory deficits in patients in whom swallowing disorders are suspected. LPSDTs have been used to stratify patient risk status with regard to aspiration and to guide dietary management. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of LPSDT testing among a group of examiners with differing levels of testing experience.


METHODS
Twenty-seven healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study to elicit LPSDTs for intraobserver and interobserver reliability measurements. The examiners represented 3 levels of testing experience: an attending laryngologist, a laryngology fellow, and an otolaryngology resident. With the examiners blinded to test results, each subject was examined twice by one examiner and once by a different examiner in an alternating fashion.


RESULTS
Six subjects were unable to tolerate the examinations because of coughing and gagging. Spearman rank correlations revealed strong intraobserver reliability for the experienced endoscopists (ie, attending and fellow) but poor reliability for the novice endoscopist (ie, resident). Poor interobserver reliability regardless of endoscopy experience was found. Eighteen percent of the participants demonstrated LPSDTs of more than 4.0 mm Hg (above normal).


CONCLUSIONS
1) Intraobserver reliability was good for experienced endoscopists. 2) Interobserver LPSDT agreement between endoscopists was poor. 3) Eighteen percent of the subjects demonstrated elevated LPSDT thresholds of more than 4 mm Hg.
Cunningham
Jeffrey J
JJ
Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Halum
Stacey L
SL
Butler
Susan G
SG
Postma
Gregory N
GN
D000328:Adult; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010614:Pharynx / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology