Oropharyngeal dysphagia--the need for effective management.
Increasing international recognition of the high incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia has incited Speech and Language Therapists to establish a service for the management of this life-threatening disorder. This study evaluates the first such Irish service instigated in St. James's Hospital four years ago. Retrospective analysis of Speech and Language Therapy departmental records for a twelve month period examined incidence of referral for dysphagia, subsequent clinical and objective assessment findings and management recommendations. A referral rate of 52% emerged with a mean of 74 years. CVA was found to be the commonest etiology. Therapeutic intervention was implemented with 68% of dysphagic subjects considered suitable candidates and improvement evidenced in 78% of treated cases. These results highlight the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in a neurologically impaired Irish adult population and the efficacy of a dysphagia service in its management, while categorically stating the need for such service provision nationwide.
Department of Speech and Language Therapy, St. James's Hospital, Dublin.
G
G
O'Donohue
S
S
Jordan
N
N
O'Regan
D
D
Gilchriest
F
F
Duffy
D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans