The discriminant ability of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 to detect dysphagia and aspiration according to the stage of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder frequently associated with dysphagia, leading to malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) is widely used for dysphagia screening; however, its reliability in advanced AD, where cognitive impairments hinder self-reporting, remains uncertain. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EAT-10 in detecting dysphagia and aspiration across different AD stages. Methods The study included 30 AD patients classified into mild, moderate, and advanced stages based on Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. Dysphagia was assessed using EAT-10 and validated through Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (p < 0.05). Results EAT-10 scores significantly differed across AD stages (p = 0.001), with mean scores of 3.11 +/- 1.17 (mild), 11.70 +/- 4.64 (moderate), and 18.00 +/- 6.90 (advanced). Unsafe swallowing and aspiration were observed in 43.3% and 23.3% of patients, respectively, with higher prevalence in advanced AD. ROC analysis determined an EAT-10 cut-off score of 15 for unsafe swallowing (AUC: 0.96, sensitivity: 88%, specificity: 77%) and 18 for aspiration (AUC: 0.81, sensitivity: 81.2%, specificity: 75%). Strong correlations were found between EAT-10 and PAS scores (r = 0.812, p < 0.001). Conclusions EAT-10 is an effective screening tool for dysphagia and aspiration risk in early and moderate AD stages. However, in advanced AD, objective assessments like VFSS remain essential to complement EAT-10 results. Integrating EAT-10 into routine evaluations may enhance early detection, enabling timely interventions and improved clinical outcomes.