Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing study (VFSS) in India: A Proposal for Reference Values of Indian Ethnicity – A Pilot Study
摘要
The Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) is a gold standard for evaluating oropharyngeal dysphagia. However, the lack of population-specific normative data can compromise diagnostic accuracy. This pilot study proposes preliminary VFSS reference values for healthy Indian adults. To establish baseline temporal (duration) and spatial (length) VFSS parameters in healthy individuals of Indian ethnicity and compare them with existing Western normative. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective observational study was conducted with 30 healthy participants (15 males, 15 females; mean age: 39 years) selected through purposive sampling. VFSS recordings were obtained in both lateral and anterior-posterior views using IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) Level 0 consistency. Two trained observers rated parameters related to swallow timing and spatial displacement. Inter-rater discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Eleven key parameters in VFSS were analysed. The Laryngeal Closure Duration (LCD), Velopharyngeal Closure Duration (VCD), and Total Pharyngeal Transit Time (TPTT) were found to be prolonged compared to Western reference values. These findings suggest a probable anatomical, physiological, or cultural variation in swallowing biomechanics in the Indian population. This study represents the initial normative VFSS data for the Indian population, highlighting the importance of ethnically studied and derived standards in dysphagia evaluation studies. Broader multi-centric research is warranted to validate and refine these preliminary reference values.