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Clinical application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in adults and older adults with dysphagia: An exploratory study

Aplicação clínica da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde em adultos e idosos com disfagia: um estudo exploratório

Urssula Aparecida Santos Leal Ribeiro; Laélia Cristina Caseiro Vicente; Stela Maris Aguiar Lemos

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/20262821325 Revista CEFAC, vol.28, n2, e1325, 2026
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Abstract

Purpose: to describe the categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of adults and older adults with dysphagia, according to clinical-care and sociodemographic aspects.

Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with 50 adults and older adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia. The study verified socioeconomic conditions with the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria, assessed orofacial structures involved in swallowing, and used the Dysphagia Risk Evaluation Protocol, the Functional Oral Intake Scale to determine the feeding route, and the International Classification of Functioning. It also preselected Body Functions (b) and Body Structures (s) components related to swallowing ability, followed by descriptive analysis of the data.

Results: most participants were females, older adults, with mild dysphagia, and fed orally with more than one consistency, but with special preparation. The study identified 38 ICF categories, 28 related to body functions and 10 to body structures, corresponding to speech/communication, oral motor skills, and dysphagia.

Conclusion: the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health made it possible to describe the components of body structure and function that a patient presented with oropharyngeal dysphagia may show.

Keywords

Deglutition Disorders; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Rehabilitation Services; Adult; Aged

Resumo

Objetivo: descrever as categorias da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde de adultos e idosos com disfagia segundo aspectos clínico-assistenciais e sociodemográficos.

Métodos: estudo observacional, descritivo transversal, amostra composta por 50 adultos e idosos com disfagia orofaríngea. Foram utilizados o Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil para conhecimento das condições socioeconômicas, avaliação das estruturas orofaciais envolvidas na deglutição, Protocolo de Avaliação do Risco para Disfagia, Escala Funcional de Ingestão por Via Oral para determinar a via de alimentação e a Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade. Foi realizada pré-seleção dos componentes de Funções do Corpo (b - Body Functions) e Estruturas do Corpo (s - Structure) relacionados à habilidade de deglutição e a análise descritiva dos dados.

Resultados: a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino e idosa, apresentava disfagia leve e se alimentava por via oral com mais de uma consistência, mas com preparo especial. Foram identificadas 38 categorias da CIF, 28 de funções do corpo e 10 de estruturas do corpo, correspondentes à fala/comunicação, motricidade orofacial e disfagia.

Conclusão: foi possível descrever, por meio da classificação internacional de funcionalidade incapacidade e saúde, os componentes de estrutura do corpo e funções do corpo que o paciente com disfagia orofaríngea pode apresentar.

Palavras-chave

Transtornos de Deglutição; Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde; Serviços de Reabilitação; Adulto; Idoso

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Submetido em:
29/03/2025

Aceito em:
16/11/2025

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