Relation between acoustic analysis of swallowing and the presence of pharyngeal residue and penetration/aspiration in resistant hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Purpose: to evaluate the relationship between acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds and the presence of pharyngeal residue and penetration/aspiration detected by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in resistant hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: an observational study in which resistant hypertensive individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea participated through the all-night polysomnography exam. The participants underwent an acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds, using a Doppler sonar and simultaneously a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The acoustic parameters analyzed were initial frequency, initial intensity, first peak frequency, second peak frequency, final intensity and swallowing time. Independent samples of t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. The level of statistical significance adopted was 5%. Results: eighty five participants with average age of 58.3±6.3 years were evaluated. There was a statistically significant difference between groups with and without pharyngeal residue, in relation to the following parameters of swallowing acoustic signal initial frequency and intensity, second peak frequency, final intensity and swallowing time. Only 10 milliliters of pudding consistency showed a statistically significant difference in the second peak frequency of the acoustic signal of swallowing between groups with and without penetration/aspiration. Conclusion: a relationship between measurements of swallowing acoustic signal and pharyngeal residue in this population was found, but not between swallowing sounds and penetration/aspiration.