[Multidisciplinary approach to patients with persistent swallowing problems; the first experiences, 1996/'02 in Louvain].
OBJECTIVE
To inventory the experiences of a multidisciplinary team for the treatment of patients with chronic swallowing problems.


METHODS
Descriptive, retrospective.


METHODS
Data were collected on the cause, treatment and course in 400 consecutive ambulatory patients who had had swallowing problems for at least several months. During the period from 1 October 1996 to 30 April 2002 they had been referred to a multidisciplinary team consisting of a radiologist, an otorhinolaryngologist, a thoracic surgeon, a logopaedician, a neurologist and an internist-geriatrician in the University Hospitals of the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium).


RESULTS
The group of 4oo patients consisted of 236 men and 164 women, one-third of whom were 70 years of age or older. Half of the patients had problems swallowing solid food and more than 10% were unable to take any food by mouth. Most of the underlying conditions were neurological. The most commonly prescribed treatments were adjustments to the diet and posture (41%) and logopaedic guidance (36%). The safety and comfort of swallowing were improved in 44% of the patients, 13% were able to feed themselves orally once more after the intervention and in 11% there was still an indication for a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) catheter.
Dejaeger
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E
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3ooo Leuven, België. eddy.dejaeger@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Goeleven
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D004032:Diet; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011187:Posture; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies