Evaluation, treatment, and follow-up results of post polio patients with dysphagia.
Twenty consecutive patients were evaluated for reports of dysphagia from post-polio clinics. Only half the patients reported a history of swallowing problems at the time of their acute poliomyelitis. Each patient received a videofluorographic evaluation of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, and then was provided with recommendations to improve swallowing skills. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to all patients. The respondents had an average interval of 12 months since the initial evaluation. Of the 18 patients responding to the questionnaire, 14 (77%) reported regular use of the swallowing suggestions. Comparison of pre-evaluation results to followup of the 18 respondents yielded a statistically significant decline in the frequency of choking (p = 0.0156) and food sticking in the throat (p = 0.0195). We conclude that a dysphagia program can result in significant improvement of the swallowing symptoms reported with the post-polio population.
Silbergleit
A K
AK
Department of Physical Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Waring
W P
WP
Sullivan
M J
MJ
Maynard
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology; D002933:Cineradiography; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology