title: Diagnostic Assessment and Management of Dysphagia in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.
abstract: A growing concern in patients affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) is dysphagia, or swallowing impairment, which leads to malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss, functional decline and fear of eating and drinking, as well as a decrease in the quality of life. Thus the diagnostic assessment of dysphagia in patients with AD is imperative to ensure that they receive effective management, avoiding complications, and reducing comorbidity and mortality in such a growing population. Dysphagia management requires a multidisciplinary approach considering that no single strategy is appropriate for all patients. However, evidence for clinical diagnostic assessment, interventions, and medical management of dysphagia in these patients are still limited: few studies are reporting the evaluation and the management among this group of patients. Here we analyzed the most recent findings in diagnostic assessment and management of swallowing impairment in patients affected by AD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boccardi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelinda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.affiliation: General, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Department of Surgery, "San Matteo degli Infermi" Hospital, ASL Umbria 2, Spoleto, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patriti
authors.affiliation: General, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Department of Surgery, "San Matteo degli Infermi" Hospital, ASL Umbria 2, Spoleto, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marano
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; dysphagia; elderly; nutrition