title: Electrophysiological patterns of oropharyngeal swallowing in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We performed an electrophysiological study of swallowing (EPSS) in multiple sclerosis (MS) to describe oropharyngeal swallowing abnormalities and to analyze their correlations with dysphagia and with overall neurological impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurological examinations were quantified using the Kurtzke Functional Systems and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Dysphagia was evaluated using the Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis (DYMUS) questionnaire, while fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was used to establish the degree of aspiration and penetration, graded using the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS). The EPSS measured the duration of suprahyoid/submental muscle EMG activity (SHEMG-D), the duration of the laryngeal-pharyngeal mechanogram (LPM-D), and the duration of the pause in cricopharyngeal muscle EMG activity (CPEMG-PD); it also measured the interval between onset of the suprahyoid/submental muscle EMG activity (SHEMG) and onset of the laryngeal-pharyngeal mechanogram (I-SHEMG-LPM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  92% of patients showed at least one electrophysiological abnormality. I-SHEMG-LPM correlated positively with the DYMUS questionnaire. I-SHEMG-LPM, SHEMG-D, and DYMUS correlated positively with the PAS. Moderate to severe bladder sphincter dysfunction was associated with a significant reduction, or absence, of CPEMG-PD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPSS improves our understanding of the pathophysiology of dysphagia in MS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation could be useful in MS patients with swallowing abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurophysiopathology, C. Mondino National Institute of Neurology Foundation, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy. enrico.alfonsi@mondino.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alfonsi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponzio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montomoli
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Restivo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brighina
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ravaglia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prunetti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benazzo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: CP; CPEMG-PD; DYMUS; Dysphagia; Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis; EDSS; EPSS; Electromyography; Expanded Disability Status Scale; FEES; I-SHEMG-LPM; LPM-D; MS; Multiple sclerosis; PAS; SHEMG; SHEMG-D; Swallowing; UES; VFS; cricopharyngeal; duration of suprahyoid/submental muscle EMG activity; duration of the laryngeal–pharyngeal mechanogram; duration of the pause in cricopharyngeal muscle EMG activity; electrophysiological study of swallowing; fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing; interval between onset of suprahyoid/submental muscle EMG activity and onset of the laryngeal–pharyngeal mechanogram; multiple sclerosis; penetration–aspiration scale; suprahyoid/submental muscle EMG activity; upper esophageal sphincter; videofluoroscopy