Clinical Usefulness of the Korean Version of the Dysphagia Handicap Index: Reliability, Validity, and Role as a Screening Test

This study aimed to measure the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Dysphagia Handicap Index (K-DHI) and evaluate its diagnostic efficacy for predicting aspiration. We enrolled 104 patients with dysphagia symptoms (D group) and 88 controls (ND group). Among controls, there were 43 patients without dysphagia symptoms (ND patient group). All subjects completed the K-DHI survey. The D and ND group patients underwent the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Two weeks later, the D group completed the second session of the K-DHI survey. The internal consistency of the K-DHI was good to excellent (Cronbach’s α: 0.79–0.95). The test–retest reliability of the K-DHI survey was also high (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.88). There were moderate correlations between the K-DHI and GUSS (r = − 0.65, p < 0.001) as well as findings of VFSS–videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System swallowing scale (r = − 0.55, p < 0.001). For predicting aspiration, the K-DHI cutoff value was 11 (sensitivity, 0.82; specificity, 0.72; positive predictive value, 0.34; and negative predictive value, 0.96). K-DHI ≥ 11 [odds ratio (OR), 6.43; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.87–22.16); p = 0.003] and GUSS ≤ 15 [OR 4.73; 95% CI (1.59–14.07); p = 0.005] were independent risk factors for aspiration on VFSS. The K-DHI is a reliable and valid self-reporting instrument for evaluating patient’s quality of life associated with dysphagia among the Korean language population. It is also useful for the screening of aspiration.