Dysphagia in the elderly

The capacity to swallow or eat is a basic human need and can be a great pleasure. Older adults look forward to sharing mealtimes and participating in social interactions. The loss of capacity to swallow and dine can have far-reaching implications. With age, the ability to swallow undergoes changes that increase the risk for disordered swallowing, with devastating health implications for older adults. With the growth in the aging population, dysphagia is becoming a national health care burden and concern. Upward of 40% of people in institutionalized settings are dysphagic. There is a need to address dysphagia in ambulatory, acute care, and long-term care settings.     

食团体积与鼻咽癌吞咽障碍患者的舌骨位移相关性

目的 探讨一口量食团体积与鼻咽癌放疗后吞咽障碍患者舌骨位移的相关性。 方法 选取鼻咽癌放疗后吞咽障碍患者23例,在吞咽造影检查下,分别吞咽一口量为3、5、10和20 ml的国际吞咽障碍食物标准（IDDSI）分级为2级的流质食物,采集并测量舌骨垂直方向、舌骨水平方向的位移幅度和舌骨的运动时间,分析一口量食团体积与舌骨位移、舌骨运动时间的相关性。 结果 患者舌骨的垂直方向位移幅度平均值为（1.01±0.65）cm,提示吞咽10 ml食团的垂直位移幅度最大（P<0.05）;舌骨的水平方向位移幅度平均值为（0.39±0.34）cm,提示吞咽3 ml食团的水平位移幅度最小（P<0.05）;舌骨运动时间的平均值为（2.11±0.65）s,提示吞咽10和20 ml食团的舌骨运动时间较吞咽3和5 ml食团的时间短（P<0.05）。患者的舌骨运动时间与舌骨水平方向位移呈负相关性（P<0.05）。一口量食团体积与舌骨运动时间呈负相关性（P<0.05）,与渗漏误吸分级（PAS）呈正相关性（P<0.05）。 结论 一口量食团体积对鼻咽癌放疗后吞咽障碍患者的舌骨位移幅度和舌骨运动时间均有一定程度的影响,对于PAS≤5级的患者,建议食团一口量以5～10 ml为宜。     

Identification of a simple screening tool for dysphagia in patients with stroke using factor analysis of multiple dysphagia variables.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a most useful and simple clinical screening tool to predict videofluoroscopic aspiration in patients with stroke.Design: Factor analysis of multiple dysphagia variables and sensitivity and specificity testing with chi-square test. PATIENTS: Sixty-one consecutive stroke patients with symptoms suggestive of dysphagia admitted to a university hospital and its 4 affiliated hospitals in Japan. METHODS: Factors were extracted from 6 oromotor examinations (lip closure, tongue movement, palatal elevation, gag reflex, voice quality and motor speech function), 2 swallow screen tests (saliva swallowing test and our modified water swallowing test using 30 ml of water) and 4 parameters evaluated with a videofluoroscopic swallow study. Sensitivity and specificity of each dysphagia-related variable was determined against aspiration in a videofluoroscopic swallow study. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed that cough/voice change in the water swallowing test and aspiration on videofluoroscopic swallow study belonged to the same factor. Chi-square analysis showed that cough/voice change in the water swallowing test was the only variable that was significantly associated with aspiration on videofluoroscopic swallow study, with a sensitivity of 72% (95% CI: 61-83%) and a specificity of 67% (CI: 55-79%) as a predictor of aspiration (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We recommend our modified 30 ml water-swallowing test as a useful single task-screening tool to detect aspiration.     

Electrical stimulation for swallowing disorders caused by stroke

BACKGROUND: An estimated 15 million adults in the United States are affected by dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Severe dysphagia predisposes to medical complications such as aspiration pneumonia, bronchospasm, dehydration, malnutrition, and asphyxia. These can cause death or increased health care costs from increased severity of illness and prolonged length of stay. Existing modalities for treating dysphagia are generally ineffective, and at best it may take weeks to months to show improvement. One common conventional therapy, application of cold stimulus to the base of the anterior faucial arch, has been reported to be somewhat effective. We describe an alternative treatment consisting of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (ES) applied through electrodes placed on the neck. OBJECTIVE: Compare the effectiveness of ES treatment to thermal-tactile stimulation (TS) treatment in patients with dysphagia caused by stroke and assess the safety of the technique. METHODS: In this controlled study, stroke patients with swallowing disorder were alternately assigned to one of the two treatment groups (TS or ES). Entry criteria included a primary diagnosis of stroke and confirmation of swallowing disorder by modified barium swallow (MBS). TS consisted of touching the base of the anterior faucial arch with a metal probe chilled by immersion in ice. ES was administered with a modified hand-held battery-powered electrical stimulator connected to a pair of electrodes positioned on the neck. Daily treatments of TS or ES lasted 1 hour. Swallow function before and after the treatment regimen was scored from 0 (aspirates own saliva) to 6 (normal swallow) based on substances the patients could swallow during a modified barium swallow. Demographic data were compared with the test and Fisher exact test. Swallow scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The treatment groups were of similar age and gender (p > 0.27), co-morbid conditions (p = 0.0044), and initial swallow score (p = 0.74). Both treatment groups showed improvement in swallow score, but the final swallow scores were higher in the ES group (p > 0.0001). In addition, 98% of ES patients showed some improvement, whereas 27% of TS patients remained at initial swallow score and 11% got worse. These results are based on similar numbers of treatments (average of 5.5 for ES and 6.0 for TS, p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: ES appears to be a safe and effective treatment for dysphagia due to stroke and results in better swallow function than conventional TS treatment.     

Dysphagia in stroke: Development of a standard method to examine swallowing recovery

This study began development of a standard method that uses the videofluoroscopic swallow study for evaluation of swallowing recovery after stroke based on a definition of dysphagia derived from three domains: bolus timing, bolus direction, and bolus clearance. Two experiments were conducted: one that defined normal versus disordered swallowing based on the range of scores in a sample of healthy adults (n = 13), and one that applied these thresholds to nine stroke patients to identify the presence of dysphagia. Results indicate that acute and protracted dysphagia may be more accurately detected by identifying abnormalities on multiple objective measures of swallowing rather than on laryngeal penetration or aspiration alone. Results indicate that our selected measures and use of healthy control subjects to establish normal thresholds may eventually contribute to the definition and differentiation of dysphagic and nondysphagic patients. Further research with a broader sample of healthy controls and stroke patients is mandatory.     

鼻咽癌放疗后患者吞咽时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群表面肌电信号特征分析

目的 研究鼻咽癌（NPC）放疗后患者吞咽时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的表面肌电信号特征。 方法 选取经吞咽造影检查证实存在咽期吞咽障碍的NPC放疗后患者15例，设为患者组，另选取健康受试者15例设为健康组，采用表面肌电图（sEMG）进行检测，分别记录受试者干吞咽和吞咽3ml浓流质时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG信号，对2组受试者的肌电活动持续时间、平均振幅和峰值进行比较。 结果 患者组在干吞咽和吞咽3ml浓流质时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG持续时间［干吞咽时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG持续时间分别为（1.94±0.60）s（3.43±0.94）s；吞咽3ml浓流质时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG持续时间分别为（1.96±0.61）s和（3.45±0.92）s］较健康组均显著延长，组间差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05），且患者组吞咽3ml浓流质时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG持续时间显著长于干吞咽时，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。患者组在干吞咽和吞咽3ml浓流质时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG峰值和平均振幅均显著高于健康组，组间差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05），且患者组吞咽3ml浓流质时颏下肌群和舌骨下肌群的sEMG峰值和平均振幅亦显著高于干吞咽时，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论 NPC放疗后患者吞咽时颏下肌群和舌肌下肌群表现为强化收缩，可在吞咽过程中发挥代偿作用。     

Functional and physiological outcomes from an exercise-based dysphagia therapy: a pilot investigation of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program

Crary MA, Carnaby GD, LaGorio LA, Carvajal PJ. Functional and physiological outcomes from an exercise-based dysphagia therapy: a pilot investigation of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program.ObjectiveTo investigate functional and physiological changes in swallowing performance of adults with chronic dysphagia after an exercise-based dysphagia therapy.DesignIntervention study: before-after trial with 3-month follow-up evaluation.SettingOutpatient clinic within a tertiary care academic health science center.ParticipantsAdults (N=9) with chronic (>12mo) dysphagia after unsuccessful prior therapies. Subjects were identified from among patients referred to an outpatient dysphagia clinic. Subjects had dysphagia secondary to prior treatment for head/neck cancer or from neurologic injury. All subjects demonstrated clinical and fluoroscopic evidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia. No subject withdrew during the course of this study.InterventionsAll subjects completed 3 weeks of an intensive, exercise-based dysphagia therapy. Therapy was conducted daily for 1h/d, with additional activities completed by subjects each night between therapy sessions.Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcomes were clinical and functional change in swallowing performance with maintenance at 3 months after intervention. Secondary, exploratory outcomes included physiological change in swallow performance measured by hyolaryngeal elevation, lingual-palatal and pharyngeal manometric pressure, and surface electromyographic amplitude.ResultsClinical and functional swallowing performances improved significantly and were maintained at the 3-month follow-up examination. Subject perspective (visual analog scale) on functional swallowing also improved. Four of 7 subjects who were initially feeding tube dependent progressed to total oral intake after 3 weeks of intervention. Physiological indices demonstrated increased swallowing effort after intervention.ConclusionsSignificant clinical and functional improvement in swallowing performance followed a time-limited (3wk) exercise-based intervention in a sample of subjects with chronic dysphagia. Physiological changes after therapy implicate improved neuromuscular functioning within the swallow mechanism.     

不同稠度和容积吞咽任务对卒中后吞咽障碍患者吞咽生理成分表现及渗漏误吸的影响

目的 探讨不同稠度和容积吞咽任务对卒中后吞咽障碍患者吞咽生理成分表现及渗漏误吸的影响。 方法 选取在我院康复科治疗的59例脑卒中后吞咽障碍患者作为研究对象,参照中国改良容积粘度测试程序,按2、1、0、3号（分别对应中稠度、低稠度、硫酸钦原液及高稠度）顺序分别对每种稠度食物进行3、5、10 ml的吞咽造影检查。使用标准化吞钡造影功能障碍评价量表（MBSImP）和Rosenbek渗漏/误吸量表进行量化分析。记录患者在执行不同稠度及容积吞咽任务时其各个吞咽生理成分评分和渗漏误吸分级。 结果 入选患者舌控制、咽期吞咽启动及喉关闭均在吞咽0号食物时表现较差,口腔残留在执行大容积吞咽任务时表现较差,咽蠕动在执行较小容积吞咽任务时表现较差。入选患者在执行低稠度、大容积吞咽任务时发生渗漏误吸的风险较高;其渗漏误吸分级与咽期总分间具有明显正相关性（r=0.365,P<0.01）,并以喉关闭与渗漏误吸分级间的相关性尤为显著（r=0.772,P<0.01）。 结论 脑卒中吞咽障碍患者口咽期各吞咽生理成分的表现与进食食物稠度及容积密切相关,患者在执行较低稠度、较大容积吞咽任务时发生渗漏误吸的风险较高。     

Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency,Dysphagia, and Drooling in Children With Cerebral Palsy

ObjectiveTo evaluate relationships between spontaneous swallowing frequency, dysphagia, and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. Spontaneous swallowing frequency was predicted to be inversely related to both dysphagia and drooling among children with cerebral palsy. A secondary objective compared patterns among spontaneous swallowing frequency, drooling, and age in healthy children vs children presenting with cerebral palsy.DesignCross sectional study.SettingChildren with cerebral palsy were tested at a Cerebral Palsy Reference Center in a university hospital. Healthy children were tested in their home setting.ParticipantsTwenty children with cerebral palsy were recruited from the local registry for cerebral palsy children and purposive sampling among parents. A group of 30 healthy children was recruited by purposive sampling among family, friends, and the local community. Children below 1 year of age up to 5 years of age were included in the healthy group. This age range was targeted to maximize the potential for drooling in this group.Main Outcome MeasuresBoth groups provided data on spontaneous swallowing frequency (swallows per minute, or SPM), dysphagia, and drooling. Motor impairment was documented in the children with cerebral palsy.ResultsSPM was significantly lower in children with cerebral palsy. Among children with cerebral palsy, SPM correlated significantly with dysphagia severity and trended toward a significant correlation with drooling at rest. In this subgroup, SPM was not correlated with age or degree of motor impairment. Dysphagia was significantly correlated with drooling at rest and both dysphagia and drooling at rest were correlated with degree of motor impairment. The 2 groups did not differ in the degree of drooling at rest. Among healthy children, age but not SPM demonstrated a significant inverse correlation with drooling quotient at rest.ConclusionsSpontaneous swallowing frequency is related to dysphagia and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. The pattern of relationships among spontaneous swallowing frequency and drooling is different between children with cerebral palsy and younger healthy children.     

空吞咽与食团吞咽对健康人咽期吞咽功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨通过使用高分辨率咽腔测压,分析空吞咽与不同黏度食团吞咽对健康人咽部和上食管括约肌功能的影响。 方法：使用高分辨率测压系统,分别测量34例健康志愿者[平均（24.29±5.926）岁]在空吞咽与进食三种不同黏度（5ml水,5ml浓流质,5ml糊状物）的食团情况下,咽部收缩压力峰值,咽部收缩持续时间,咽部压力上升速率,上食管括约肌（UES）松弛残余压,UES松弛持续时间,UES开放前峰值以及UES开放后峰值。使用重复测量的方差分析研究空吞咽与食团吞咽对这些参数的影响。 结果：食团吞咽与空吞咽时,咽部收缩压力峰值差异无显著性意义。而空吞咽时,UES松弛残余压、开放前压力峰值、咽部收缩持续时间和咽部压力上升速率明显高于食团吞咽,而UES松弛持续时间与UES开放后峰值明显低于食团吞咽。而不同黏度的食团吞咽之间的参数差异无显著性意义。 结论：不同的吞咽类型会影响健康人咽部与UES的压力和持续时间。明确空吞咽与不同黏度食团吞咽健康人的咽期吞咽生理学变化,为进一步探究吞咽障碍的生理与病理提供了研究基础。     

Comparison of effortful and noneffortful swallows in healthy middle-aged and older adults

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of effortful swallowing, a common compensatory strategy for dysphagia, on the bolus and swallowing mechanism of middle-aged and older men and women. DESIGN: Case-controlled design in which subjects completed both the intervention technique and the control behavior. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four healthy men and women between 45 and 93 years of age from the community. INTERVENTIONS: Participants swallowed 3-mL thin liquid boluses both normally and using the effortful swallow strategy. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The biomechanics and bolus flow patterns of swallows were analyzed from videofluoroscopic and simultaneous oral pressure data. RESULTS: Subjects at all ages generated significantly increased oral pressures at each sensor location using the effortful swallow (p = .0001), with the pressure increase greater for the middle-aged subjects compared with older subjects. Several durational measures were significantly longer with the effortful swallow including: hyoid maximum anterior excursion (p < .04), laryngeal vestibule closure (p < .0001), and duration of the upper esophageal sphincter opening (p =.0001). The hyoid bone moved further in the superior direction with the effortful swallow (p = .002). There was a trend of decreased oral residue with the effortful swallow (p = .06). CONCLUSION: Biomechanical and bolus flow aspects of swallowing changed when healthy individuals performed effortful swallows with 3-mL boluses.     

Dysphagia in Older Adults

Dysphagia, which is a geriatric syndrome affecting 10% to 33% of older adults, is commonly seen in older adults who have experienced a stroke or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. Patients diagnosed as having dysphagia can experience malnutrition, pneumonia, and dehydration. Patients can also experience increased rates of mortality and long-term care admission. Providers can identify the specific type of dysphagia for treatment in approximately 80% of patients by asking 5 questions in the patient’s history: What happens when you try to swallow? Do you have trouble chewing? Do you have difficulty swallowing solids, liquids, or both? Describe the symptom onset, duration, and frequency? What are the associated symptoms? Providers can then request a videofluoroscopic swallow study or a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing for further evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia. If providers are diagnosing esophageal dysphagia, barium esophagraphy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) can be used as part of the assessment. Patients can be treated for oropharyngeal dysphagia by using compensatory interventions, including behavioral changes, oral care, dietary modification, or rehabilitative interventions such as exercises and therapeutic oral trials. Providers often address treatment of esophageal dysphagia by managing the underlying etiology, which could include removal of caustic medications or using EGD as a therapeutic modality for esophageal rings. High-quality, large research studies are necessary to further manage the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this growing geriatric syndrome.     

Swallowing disorders in closed head trauma patients

Fifty-three closed head trauma patients with dysphagia were examined videofluorographically to determine the specific nature of their swallowing disorder. Eighty-one percent of the patients exhibited a delayed or absent swallowing reflex while approximately 50% of the patients suffered from reduced tongue control, and 33% had reduced peristalsis. Laryngeal disorders and cricopharyngeal dysfunction occurred in a small number of patients. The average head trauma patient exhibited more than one swallowing motility problem. Twenty patients aspirated, with delayed or absent swallowing reflex as the most common etiology for the aspiration. Many of these patients did not produce a reflexive cough during or after they had aspirated material into their airway. For this reason, and since the pharyngeal stage of the swallow is extremely difficult to assess with presently available bedside techniques, videofluorographic evaluation becomes an invaluable tool for identification of the precise nature of the swallowing disturbance, the presence of aspiration, and the etiology of the aspiration.     

Incidence and nature of dysphagia in polio survivors.

Questionnaires pertaining to swallowing function were mailed to 220 members of postpolio support groups in Connecticut. Of the 109 responses, 80 individuals reported having no difficulty with swallowing, while 29 reported having either intermittent or consistent swallowing problems. Twenty-one of the 29 were seen for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and pulmonary function testing. The swallowing studies showed that 43% of these individuals had difficulty with bolus control, 19% with delayed swallow response, and 81% with decreased pharyngeal transit. Although none of these individuals were observed to aspirate, two were judged to be at significant risk. Incidence of dysphagia within the group of polio survivors was estimated to be approximately 18%. Seventeen of the 20 postpolio subjects with dysphagia also demonstrated decreased breathing capacity. Although moderately to severely depressed values in the pulmonary function measures accompanied moderate dysphagia in certain postpolio individuals, reduced values in these same measures were also present in individuals with minimal swallowing dysfunction. Therefore, although impaired breathing may complicate swallowing dysfunction and vice versa, it does not appear that one can be predicated from the other. Management of dysphagia in postpolio individuals is discussed.     

神经肌肉电刺激治疗运动神经元病患者吞咽功能障碍的护理

目的探讨神经肌肉电刺激治疗运动神经元病(motorneurondisease,MND)患者吞咽功能障碍的疗效及护理方法。方法按随机数字表法将2009年4-12月于河北以岭医院肌萎缩专科住院的运动神经元病伴吞咽功能障碍患者60例分为对照组和观察组各30例,对照组进行常规药物及传统康复治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上配合神经肌肉电刺激,疗程1个月,比较两组患者的疗效。结果经过1个月治疗,两组患者的吞咽功能障碍电视透视检查(video fluoroscopy swallowing study,VFSS)评分均有所提高,但观察组较对照组评分更高(P<0.05);根据洼田饮水试验评定,观察组治疗后的疗效优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论神经肌肉电刺激可显著改善运动神经元病吞咽功能障碍患者的吞咽功能,有利于提高患者的生活质量。     

电视透视下吞咽能力检查在口咽期吞咽障碍中的应用

目的 分析吞咽障碍患者电视透视下吞咽能力检查(VFSS)结果.方法 16例知情同意吞咽障碍患者接受VFSS检查.分别采用稀钡餐(50％ w/v)、稠钡餐(270％ w/v)、饼干沾稠钡餐进行咀嚼测试.一口量为10 ml.采用正位、侧位动态造影测试,依次观察双侧梨状窝对称情况、口期时长、咽期起始时间、咽期时长、滞留、误吸及其时间、剂量等.结果5例为口期吞咽障碍;3例为咽期吞咽障碍,显示存在咽期起始迟缓,并且有1例表现为吞咽后误吸;8例为口咽期吞咽障碍,其中5例不伴误吸,3例伴有误吸,其中2例为安静误吸,1例表现为吞咽前误吸,1例表现为吞咽后误吸(梨状窝滞留引起),1例无法判断误吸时间.4例误吸患者中,3例存在钡剂25％以上的重度误吸,1例存在5％的轻度误吸,同时配合吞咽康复治疗.结论VFSS检测可为制订吞咽障碍的康复方案提供参考.     

Efficacy of swallowing training for residents following stroke

BACKGROUND: The presence of dysphagia is associated with an increased risk of mortality, malnutrition, dehydration, compromised pulmonary function, and disability. Appropriate swallowing training can establish optimal nutritional status and eliminate or reduce the risk of developing medical complications associated with swallowing impairment. AIM(S) OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to examine the functional swallowing and nutritional outcomes of swallowing training in institutionalized stroke residents with dysphagia. DESIGN AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental parallel cluster design was used. Seven institutions with similar bed sizes were selected. All subjects in the experimental group received a structured swallowing training programme. The subjects in the experimental group (n = 40) received 30 minutes of swallowing training each day for 6 days per week for 8 weeks. The control group (n = 21) did not receive any training. RESULTS: After swallowing training, mean differences in volume per second, volume per swallow, mid-arm circumference and body weight between pre- and post-training of the experimental group were significantly higher than for the control group, while mean differences in neurological examination and choking frequency during meals for the experimental group were significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study used objective timed swallowing tests, a swallowing questionnaire, and a neurological examination to evaluate the effects of swallowing training. However, videofluroscopy is generally considered the best method for evaluating the pharyngeal and esophageal stages of swallowing, and introducing this technique is recommended for future studies. Furthermore, it is recommended that nursing professionals should conduct swallowing training protocols in stroke patients to help prevent aspiration from dysphagia.     

Dysphagia Characteristics of Patients Post SARS-CoV-2 During Inpatient Rehabilitation

ObjectiveTo investigate dysphagia in patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation by summarizing clinical swallow evaluation and videofluoroscopic swallow study findings.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingUrban inpatient rehabilitation hospital.ParticipantsThe first inpatients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 (N=40) who participated in a videofluoroscopic swallow study.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresPatient characteristics upon admission (duration of intubation, tracheostomy status, comorbidities, videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) completion at previous level of care); admission International Dysphagia Diet level (IDDSI); Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), dysphagia severity rating; penetration aspiration scale (PAS) rated during VFSS; and IDDSI level recommended after completion of VFSS.ResultsTwenty percent of patients had been evaluated by videofluoroscopy in acute care. Nineteen of 37 (51%) individuals were upgraded to IDDSI level 7 regular diet with level 0 thin liquids and achieved a FOIS of 7 after the completion of the VFSS. Five individuals (13%) received a diet downgrade or remained on the same diet recommendations from their admission. Total numerical score (TNS) of less than 170 on the MASA predicted presence of aspiration in 27% of patients (6 of 22). Seventy-two percent of the sample (16 of 22) had a TNS less than 170 but did not demonstrate any instances of aspiration. The odds of patients having a PAS of 3 or greater increased by approximately 15% (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.27; P=.013). Thus, with each additional day of intubation during acute care stay, there was a 15% greater likelihood of having airway invasion.ConclusionsInstrumental swallow evaluations are imperative to diagnose and treat dysphagia in the post-coronavirus disease population. Because of the heterogeneity of this population, high incidence of prolonged intubation, and limitations of the clinical swallowing evaluation, instrumental assessments need to be performed on a more consistent basis as infection prevention protocols evolve.     

健康老年人舌骨的运动学研究

目的探讨食物黏稠度、性别对正常老年人吞咽时舌骨运动功能的影响。方法选取 60例健康老年人进行电视X线透视吞咽功能检查 ,分别比较性别、食团黏稠度对受试者吞咽时舌骨运动的时间与空间参数的影响。结果老年男性吞咽时舌骨的运动时间长于老年女性 ,舌骨向上、向前运动幅度大于老年女性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;吞咽 3种不同黏稠度食团时 ,舌骨向前运动幅度无显著性差异 ;吞咽液体时 ,舌骨向上运动幅度明显小于半固体与固体食物 (P <0 .0 1) ,而吞咽半固体与固体食物之间无显著性差异。舌骨运动时间随食物黏稠度增加而增加。结论吞咽时 ,舌骨的运动包括向上及向前运动 ,食团黏稠度主要影响舌骨的向上运动 ,不同性别舌骨的运动时间与幅度不同。     

Dysphagia in Forestier's disease

Background. The purpose of the study is to present preliminary results of treatment of dysphagia in patients with Forestier's disease. Material and methods.3 patients with Forestier's disease were treated surgically due to increasing difficulties swallowing. The average age was 57 yrs. All three patients presented with cough and hoarseness. Results. Surgical intervention relieved the patients from dysphagia. All three regained the ability to swallow and obtained relief from hoarseness and cough within a few months after surgery. Conclusion. We observed that dysphagia due to skeletal hyperostosis may be the main symptom in Forestier's disease. Pharmacological treatment in the initial period of the disease decreases edema of the mucous membrane in the esophagus.