Effect of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Swallowing Function in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stroke patients, and to assess the difference in swallowing function between stroke patients with COPD (COPD group) and stroke patients without COPD (control group). METHODS: The subjects included 103 stroke patients. They underwent the pulmonary function test and were assigned to either the COPD group or the control group. Their penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) scores and functional dysphagia scale scores were compared by performing a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. The intergroup differences in lip closure, bolus formation, mastication, and the oral transit time, laryngeal elevation, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, oronasal regurgitation, residue in pyriform sinus and vallecula, pharyngeal transit time, aspiration, and esophageal relaxation were also compared. RESULTS: Thirty patients were diagnosed with COPD. The COPD group showed statistically higher PAS scores (4.67+/-2.15) compared to the control group (2.89+/-1.71). Moreover, aspiration occurred more frequently in the COPD group with statistical significance (p<0.05). The COPD group also showed higher occurrence of cricopharyngeal dysfunction, albeit without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a considerable number of stroke patients had COPD, and stroke patients with COPD had higher risk of aspiration than stroke patients without COPD.

The Comparison of Effects of Suprascapular Nerve Block, Intra-articular Steroid Injection, and a Combination Therapy on Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative effectiveness of three injections methods suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) alone, intra-articular steroid injection (IAI) alone, or both-on relief of hemiplegic shoulder pain. METHODS: We recruited 30 patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke. SSNB was performed in 10 patients, IAI in 10 patients, and a combination of two injections in 10 patients. All were ultrasonography guided. Each patient's maximum passive range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder was measured, and the pain intensity level was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Repeated measures were performed on pre-injection, and after injection at 1 hour, 1 week, and 1 month. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests. RESULTS: All variables that were repeatedly measured showed significant differences in shoulder ROM with time (p<0.05), but there was no difference according injection method. In addition, VAS was statistically significantly different with time, but there was no difference by injection method. Pain significantly decreased until a week after injection, but pain after a month was relatively increased. However, pain was decreased compared to pre-injection. CONCLUSION: The three injection methods significantly improved shoulder ROM and pain with time, but no statistically significant difference was found between them.

The Comparison of Effects of Suprascapular Nerve Block, Intra-articular Steroid Injection, and a Combination Therapy on Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative effectiveness of three injections methods suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) alone, intra-articular steroid injection (IAI) alone, or both-on relief of hemiplegic shoulder pain. METHODS: We recruited 30 patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke. SSNB was performed in 10 patients, IAI in 10 patients, and a combination of two injections in 10 patients. All were ultrasonography guided. Each patient's maximum passive range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder was measured, and the pain intensity level was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Repeated measures were performed on pre-injection, and after injection at 1 hour, 1 week, and 1 month. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests. RESULTS: All variables that were repeatedly measured showed significant differences in shoulder ROM with time (p<0.05), but there was no difference according injection method. In addition, VAS was statistically significantly different with time, but there was no difference by injection method. Pain significantly decreased until a week after injection, but pain after a month was relatively increased. However, pain was decreased compared to pre-injection. CONCLUSION: The three injection methods significantly improved shoulder ROM and pain with time, but no statistically significant difference was found between them.

Association between Location of Brain Lesion and Clinical Factors and Findings of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study in Subacute Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patterns of dysphagia were associated with the location of the brain lesion and clinical factors in subacute stroke patients. METHOD: One hundred and seventy-eight first-ever subacute stroke patients who underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) from January 2006 to April 2012 were enrolled in the present study. Swallowing-related parameters were assessed by VFSS. The location of brain lesions were classified into the cortical, subcortical, and brain stem. The degree of cognitive impairment and the independency of activities of daily living were assessed by the Korean version of mini-mental status examination and Korean version of modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Aphasia and hemineglect were assessed by Korean version of Western aphasia battery and line bisection test. These data were collected via retrospective chart review. RESULTS: A reduced laryngeal elevation and prolonged pharyngeal delay time were associated with brain stem lesion. Other swallowing parameters were not associated with lesion topology. Pyriform sinus residue was associated with the presence of aphasia and low K-MBI scores. Prolonged pharyngeal delay time was associated with the patient's age, type of stroke and brain stem lesion. CONCLUSION: Pyriform sinus residue was associated with clinical factors such as aphasia and K-MBI scores rather than with the location of brain lesion. However, reduced laryngeal elevation and prolonged pharyngeal delay time were predominant in brain stem lesions.