title: Manofluorographic analysis of swallowing in the elderly.
abstract: This study examined the effect of aging on the mechanisms of swallowing by comparing 16 elderly subjects (80 years +/- 5) with 20 healthy volunteers. Manofluorography was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data of the pharyngeal swallow. Aging is associated with a significant decrease in the level of negative pressure resulting from the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter and with a substantial number of incomplete relaxations of the sphincter. In addition, several qualitative changes were noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dejaeger
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pelemans
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bibau
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ponette
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D013997:Time Factors; D014743:Videotape Recording