Dysphagic persons differed from nondysphagic persons with respect to an index of body mass, need for therapeutic diets, and frequency of selected illnesses and disorders. There were no differences in serum iron and protein levels or intake factors that included food allergy restriction and medications...
Consequently, without instrumental evaluation, some patients would have potentially continued to receive modified texture and consistency diets unnecessarily, continuing the financial burden associated with ongoing need for altered diets and negatively impacting on return to normal oral intake for the patient...