Use of EAT-10 in Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease: Who Should be the Source of Information?

This study aimed to examine the compatibility between individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (IwAD) and Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) results obtained from their caregivers and to compare EAT-10 results obtained from IwAD and caregivers with fiberoptic endoscopic swallow evaluation (FEES) results. EAT-10 questions were read aloud to the IwAD; simultaneously, the caregiver was asked to complete the EAT-10 by thinking of the IwAD in a different room. Aspiration, penetration, and residual status were first assessed as “present” or “absent” using FEES, then the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) was used. EAT-10 items were analyzed with agreement between IwAD and caregiver.The sensitivity and specificity of IwAD and caregiver EAT-10 results for aspiration, penetration, and residue were assessed. EAT-10 cut-off scores were determined for IwAD according to different sources of information.Agreement of the EAT-10 total measurements of IwAD and caregiver was determined to be poor. There was no statistically significant correlation between PAS scores and EAT-10 total IwAD (p = 0.072) and caregiver (p = 0.195) scores. In the aspiration, penetration, and residue measurements of the participants, the area under the ROC curve was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) according to both IwAD and caregiver responses. It was observed that IwAD’s statement for aspiration, penetration, and residue in mild stage AD; IwAD for aspiration, caregiver for penetration, both for residue in moderate stage; caregivers for advanced stage gave more accurate results in differentiating individuals with aspiration, penetration, and residue.In conclusion, in this study, according to the information obtained from IwAD or caregivers, it was determined that the agreement between EAT-10 and FEES results was low, especially in recognizing IwAD with aspiration. Therefore, the use of the EAT-10 in IwAD does not provide adequate diagnosis; there is a need to develop other swallowing assessment tools that also provide information about the effectiveness and safety of swallowing specific to IwAD.