Dysphagia in ambulant patients with Parkinson's disease: common, not dangerous.
To assess the frequency of subjective and objective dysphagia and its possible pulmonary sequelae, we prospectively studied 22 out-patients with Parkinson's disease; 15 spouses served as controls. All subjects answered a standard questionnaire concerning swallowing and respiratory functions and underwent barium swallow videofluoroscopy. Possible pulmonary infection was investigated by recordings of body temperature, ESR, leucocyte count, and chest X-ray. Patients had significantly more symptoms than controls, especially choking, piece-meal deglutition and regurgitation. Videofluoroscopy revealed tracheal aspiration in one patient, vestibular aspiration in one patient and in one control. Non-fluent swallowing movements were common in patients: abnormal bolus formation, delayed swallowing reflex, vallecular stasis, and piriform sinus residue. None of the subjects had signs of pulmonary infection. Both subjective and objective oro-pharyngeal dysfunction is frequent in ambulant Parkinson patients, but apparently does not produce demonstrable pulmonary infection.
Wintzen
A R
AR
Department of Neurology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
Badrising
U A
UA
Roos
R A
RA
Vielvoye
J
J
Liauw
L
L
Pauwels
E K
EK
D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D011859:Radiography; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires