Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of UES's dysfunction treatments with the DHI (Deglutition Handicap Index).
Material and method: 24 patients suffering of UES's dysfunction were included prospectively between 2008 and 2009 in 2 centers (France and Netherlands). Patients completed DHI before and after treatment. For statistics, Wilcoxon two-sample tests were used.
Results: The mean score was 57 +/- 17 in the preoperative and 26 +/- 19 in the post operative time. The statistical difference was significant p < 0.0001. The difference is also significant for the 3 subscales (symptoms, functional, emotional).
Conclusion: The DHI has been validated in terms of content, concurrent, construct validity and temporal reliability. It can be used for assessing efficacy of treatments used for dysphagia.