Iguchi et al reported a predictive score for postoperative dysphagia in an older adult undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. The authors are from Fukuoka General Hospital, Oita Red Cross Hospital, Kyushu University, and Kyushu Cancer Center in Japan.
Patient selection: age >= 75 years status post emergency abdominal surgery
Definition of dysphagia: Food Intake Level Scale (FILS) < 7 on postoperative day 10
Parameters:
(1) intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), calculated by dividing the mean CT attenuation value of the bilateral multifidus muscle area by the mean CT attenuation value of 4 points of subcutaneous fat away from major vessels
(2) gender
(3) postoperative ventilator management
(4) cerebrovascular disorder
(5) dementia
Parameter
Finding
Points
IMAC and gender
male and IMAC <= -0.321
0
male and IMAC > -0.321
10
female and IMAC <= -0.273
0
female and IMAC > -0.273
10
postoperative ventilator
no
0
yes
4
cerebrovascular disorder
no
0
yes
3
dementia
no
0
yes
3
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 20
• The cut-off score was 7 (presumably > 7) for increased risk of postoperative dysphagia.
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve is 0.84.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
