VIDEOFLUOROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF CAPSULE SIZE AND SUBJECT'S AGE AND GENDER ON CAPSULE SWALLOWING.

BACKGROUND: People recurrently have difficulties swallowing solid medications, which can be associated with the size of the medication and the age and gender of individuals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of capsule size and adults' age and gender on oral and pharyngeal capsule transit during capsule swallows. METHODS: Videofluoroscopy was used to measure capsule oral and pharyngeal transit during swallows in 49 healthy individuals (17 men and 32 women), with a mean age of 46 years (ranging from 23 to 88 years). Smaller capsules were filled with 0.50 mL of barium sulfate, and larger capsules were filled with 0.95 mL of barium sulfate; the volume of liquid ingested with the capsules was also quantified in each ingestion. The measurements included the oral preparation time, oral transit time, swallowing reaction time, time to laryngeal vestibule closure, laryngeal vestibule closure duration, pharyngeal transit time, and upper esophageal sphincter opening duration. RESULTS: The capsule size did not influence either the oral or pharyngeal transit time. Increased liquid volume was ingested with larger capsules and by people older than 40 years. The oral transit time was shorter in older adults (60-88 years), and the time to laryngeal vestibule closure was longer in women. CONCLUSION: The size of large capsules did not make a difference in oral or pharyngeal transit when compared with smaller capsules. The capsule size and the participant's age influenced the volume of liquid ingested - larger capsules and older individuals required a larger volume. The capsule oral transit was faster in individuals older than 60 years. BACKGROUND: •Swallowing is influenced by the characteristics of what is being swallowed. BACKGROUND: •There was no difference in swallowing capsules containing 0.50 mL or 0.95 mL. BACKGROUND: •Larger capsules need more liquid ingestion to make swallowing easier. BACKGROUND: •Individuals older than 40 years need a greater volume of liquid to swallow capsules than younger adults.

The Prevalence of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To determine the global prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in adults. Six electronic databases (Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched, in addition to gray literature (ASHA, Google Scholar, ProQuest Dissertation, and Theses). A random-effects model for meta-analysis of proportions was conducted, and heterogeneity was evaluated according to the moderator variable through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Thirty papers were included for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The combined prevalence estimate was 60% [CI 95% = 50%-70%; I2 = 95%], accounting for different baseline conditions. However, the wide variation that exists between the different baseline conditions (underlying disease or risk factor) tended to overestimate this prevalence when considering the general population. Only one study evaluated healthy individuals, which showed a prevalence of 31% [CI95% = 27%-36%]. The risk of bias was considered low for all studies. None of the variables were considered predictors for the observed variance between the effect sizes of the included studies. For the prevalence of OD, the GRADE rating was considered very low. Despite the high prevalence observed, with over half of the individuals affected, the evidence regarding this outcome remains uncertain due to an overestimation of the generated estimates caused by the baseline condition of the sample.

Avaliação videofluoroscópica do impacto do tamanho da cápsula, idade e gênero dos indivíduos na ingestão de cápsulas / Videofluoroscopic evaluation of the impact of capsule size and subject's age and gender on capsule swallowing

ABSTRACT Background: People recurrently have difficulties swallowing solid medications, which can be associated with the size of the medication and the age and gender of individuals. Objective: To evaluate the impact of capsule size and adults' age and gender on oral and pharyngeal capsule transit during capsule swallows. Methods: Videofluoroscopy was used to measure capsule oral and pharyngeal transit during swallows in 49 healthy individuals (17 men and 32 women), with a mean age of 46 years (ranging from 23 to 88 years). Smaller capsules were filled with 0.50 mL of barium sulfate, and larger capsules were filled with 0.95 mL of barium sulfate; the volume of liquid ingested with the capsules was also quantified in each ingestion. The measurements included the oral preparation time, oral transit time, swallowing reaction time, time to laryngeal vestibule closure, laryngeal vestibule closure duration, pharyngeal transit time, and upper esophageal sphincter opening duration. Results: The capsule size did not influence either the oral or pharyngeal transit time. Increased liquid volume was ingested with larger capsules and by people older than 40 years. The oral transit time was shorter in older adults (60-88 years), and the time to laryngeal vestibule closure was longer in women. Conclusion: The size of large capsules did not make a difference in oral or pharyngeal transit when compared with smaller capsules. The capsule size and the participant's age influenced the volume of liquid ingested - larger capsules and older individuals required a larger volume. The capsule oral transit was faster in individuals older than 60 years.

RESUMO Contexto: Algumas pessoas apresentam recorrentemente dificuldades para engolir medicamentos sólidos, o que pode estar associado ao tamanho do medicamento, à idade e ao gênero dos indivíduos. Objetivo: Avaliar, em adultos, o impacto do tamanho da cápsula, da idade e do gênero no trânsito oral e faríngeo de cápsulas. Métodos: Videofluoroscopia foi utilizada para medir o trânsito oral e faríngeo de cápsulas em 49 indivíduos saudáveis (17 homens e 32 mulheres), com idade média de 46 anos (limites de 23 e 88 anos). Cápsulas menores foram preenchidas com 0,50 mL e cápsulas maiores foram preenchidas com 0,95 mL de sulfato de bário; o volume de líquido ingerido com as cápsulas foi quantificado em cada ingestão. Foram medidos o tempo de preparo oral, tempo de trânsito oral, tempo de reação da deglutição, tempo para fechamento do vestíbulo laríngeo, tempo de fechamento do vestíbulo laríngeo, tempo de trânsito faríngeo e tempo de abertura do esfíncter superior do esôfago. Resultados: O tamanho da cápsula não influenciou o tempo de trânsito oral ou faríngeo. Mais líquido foi ingerido com cápsulas maiores e por pessoas com mais de 40 anos. O tempo de trânsito oral foi menor em idosos (60-88 anos) e o tempo de fechamento do vestíbulo laríngeo foi maior em mulheres. Conclusão: O tamanho da cápsula não influenciou o trânsito oral e faríngeo, porém houve maior volume de líquido ingerido com a cápsula maior e nos mais idosos. O trânsito oral da cápsula foi mais rápido em indivíduos com mais de 60 anos.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS, DYSPHAGIA, AND FUNCTIONAL EATING LEVEL IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY IN LONG INSTITUTIONAL STAYS.

BACKGROUND: Diets with modified consistencies for patients with dysphagia in long term care health institutions may be associated with malnutrition. OBJECTIVE: : To assess the nutritional status of adult patients with cerebral palsy and dysphagia hospitalized in a health institution for more than 10 years. METHODS: : This prospective investigation was performed in 56 patients with cerebral palsy (ages 25 to 71 years, mean: 44±12 years) and no other neurological diagnosis in hospital stay for more than 10 years had their nutritional status, dysphagia, and food ingestion capacity assessed in two moments with a 12-month interval in between them, respectively using the body mass index, the dysphagia risk assessment protocol (PARD), and the functional oral ingestion scale (FOIS). RESULTS: : There were no differences between December 2015 and December 2016 in the patients' weight, nutritional status, diet consistency classification, PARD, and FOIS. The limits of prescribed diet consistency (IDDSI-FDS) and the assessments of dysphagia and functional eating level influenced the nutritional status. More intense dysphagia and greater eating restrictions were associated with a worse nutritional status. CONCLUSION: : The nutritional status of adult patients with cerebral palsy hospitalized in a health long term institution who had modified diets according to their swallowing and mastication capacity did not worsen between assessments with a 12-month interval in between them. The severity of dysphagia and diet restrictions interfere with the patients' nutritional status: dysphagia and more intense eating restrictions are associated with a worse nutritional status.

Shear-Viscosity-Dependent Effect of a Gum-Based Thickening Product on the Safety of Swallowing in Older Patients with Severe Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Fluid thickening is a valid therapeutic strategy for patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). The main aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of the xanthan-gum-based thickener Tsururinko Quickly (TQ, Morinaga Milk Co., Tokyo, Japan) in older patients with severe OD. A total of 85 patients (83.32 ± 6.75 y) with OD and a penetration-aspiration score (PAS) of n ≥ 3 were studied by videofluoroscopy while swallowing duplicate 10 mL boluses at <50 mPa·s, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mPa·s, to assess the safety and efficacy of swallowing and the biomechanics of a swallowing response at each viscosity level. At <50 mPa·s, only 16.25% patients swallowed safely, 45% had penetrations (PAS 3-5), and 38.75% had aspirations (PAS 6-8). Fluid thickening with TQ greatly increased the prevalence of patients with safe swallowing from 62.90% at 100 mPa·s to 95.24% at 1600 mPa·s in a shear-viscosity-dependent manner. The penetrations and aspirations were significantly reduced to 3.60% and 1.19%, respectively, at 1600 mPa·s. The threshold viscosity was 100 mPa·s and the increasing viscosity above 800 mPa·s did not further improve the therapeutic effect significantly. Increasing the shear viscosity significantly reduced the time to laryngeal vestibule closure (-16.70%), increased the time to upper oesophageal sphincter opening (+26.88%), and reduced the pharyngeal bolus velocity (-31.62%) without affecting the pharyngeal residue. TQ has a strong shear-viscosity-dependent effect on the safety of swallowing in older patients with severe OD without increasing the pharyngeal residue. The therapeutic range for TQ is 100-800 mPa·s, with 200 and 800 mPa·s being the optimal doses to cover the needs of older patients with OD.

Prevalence of signs and symptoms related to temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain in patients indicated for orthognathic surgery: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of signs and symptoms related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain in patients with indication for orthognathic surgery. METHODS: The search was carried out in seven electronic databases and gray literature. Studies that evaluated the frequency of signs and symptoms related to TMD and orofacial pain were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal tool. A meta-analysis of proportions with a random effect model was performed and the GRADE tool judged the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: After searching the databases, 1859 references were retrieved, 18 of which were selected for synthesis. The prevalence of individuals with at least one TMD symptom was 51% [CI95% = 44-58%], and 44% of the subjects had temporomandibular joint click/crepitus [CI95% = 37-52%]. Additionally, 28% exhibited symptoms related to muscle disorders [CI95% = 22-35%], 34% had disc displacement with or without reduction [CI95% = 25-44%], and 24% had inflammatory joint disorders [CI95% = 13-36%]. The prevalence of headache was 26% [CI95% = 8-51%]. The certainty of evidence was considered very low. CONCLUSION: Approximately 1 in 2 patients with dentofacial deformity presents some sign and symptom related to TMD. Myofascial pain and headache may be present in approximately a quarter of patients with dentofacial deformity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A multidisciplinary treatment is necessary for these patients, involving a professional with expertise in the management of TMD.

Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) Scores to Detect Self-Reported Dysphagia in Brazilians.

The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) detects swallowing impairments (dysphagia) self-reported by patients according to their perception. This noninvasive, inexpensive, self-administered instrument is quickly and easily filled out. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the scores, sensitivity, and specificity of the method to define self-reported dysphagia in Brazilians. EAT-10 scores were evaluated in 443 healthy individuals (273 women and 170 men), aged 20 to 84 years, with no swallowing difficulties or diseases, and 72 patients with diseases that cause dysphagia (35 women and 37 men), aged 29 to 88 years. Each of the 10 instrument items has a 0-4 rating scale, in which 0 indicates no problem and 4, a severe problem; total results range from 0 to 40. The median EAT-10 score of healthy subjects was 0 (range: 0-20), and that of patients was 14.5 (range: 1-40). Considering a ≥ 3 cutoff score to define dysphagia risk, it was self-reported by 97.2% of patients with dysphagia and 9.5% of no-disease individuals (97.2% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity). The positive predictive value of the test was 63% and the negative predictive value was 99.5%. Healthy women had higher scores (median 0, range: 0-20) than healthy men (median 0, range: 0-8, p < 0.01) and more results indicative of self-reported dysphagia (11.7%) than healthy men (5.9%). The EAT-10 cutoff score to detect self-reported dysphagia in Brazilians should be 3, as previously considered. Healthy women complain more of self-reported dysphagia than healthy men. The test has high sensitivity and specificity.

Relação entre estado nutricional, disfagia, e nível funcional de alimentação em pacientes adultos com paralisia cerebral em instituição de longa permanência / Relationship between nutritional status, dysphagia, and functional eating level in adult patients with cerebral palsy in long institutional stays

ABSTRACT Background: Diets with modified consistencies for patients with dysphagia in long term care health institutions may be associated with malnutrition. Objective : To assess the nutritional status of adult patients with cerebral palsy and dysphagia hospitalized in a health institution for more than 10 years. Methods : This prospective investigation was performed in 56 patients with cerebral palsy (ages 25 to 71 years, mean: 44±12 years) and no other neurological diagnosis in hospital stay for more than 10 years had their nutritional status, dysphagia, and food ingestion capacity assessed in two moments with a 12-month interval in between them, respectively using the body mass index, the dysphagia risk assessment protocol (PARD), and the functional oral ingestion scale (FOIS). Results : There were no differences between December 2015 and December 2016 in the patients' weight, nutritional status, diet consistency classification, PARD, and FOIS. The limits of prescribed diet consistency (IDDSI-FDS) and the assessments of dysphagia and functional eating level influenced the nutritional status. More intense dysphagia and greater eating restrictions were associated with a worse nutritional status. Conclusion : The nutritional status of adult patients with cerebral palsy hospitalized in a health long term institution who had modified diets according to their swallowing and mastication capacity did not worsen between assessments with a 12-month interval in between them. The severity of dysphagia and diet restrictions interfere with the patients' nutritional status: dysphagia and more intense eating restrictions are associated with a worse nutritional status.

RESUMO Contexto: Dieta com consistência modificada para pacientes com disfagia internados em instituições por longa permanência pode causar desnutrição. Objetivo : Avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes adultos com paralisia cerebral (PC) e disfagia internados em instituição de saúde por mais de dez anos. Métodos : É um estudo prospectivo realizado em 56 pacientes com PC com idades entre 25 e 71 anos, média: 44±12 anos. O estado nutricional, a disfagia e a capacidade de ingestão alimentar foram avaliados em dois momentos, separados por 12 meses, respectivamente pelo índice de massa corporal (IMC), protocolo de avaliação do risco de disfagia (PARD) e pela escala funcional de ingestão por via oral (FOIS), em 56 pacientes com PC internados em instituição hospitalar por mais de 10 anos, sem outro diagnóstico neurológico. Resultados : Não houve diferenças, entre dezembro de 2015 e dezembro de 2016, nas avaliações do peso, do estado nutricional, na classificação da consistência da dieta ingerida, na escala PARD para disfagia e na escala FOIS de avaliação de ingestão por via oral. Houve influência dos limites da consistência da dieta prescrita (IDDSI-FDS), da avaliação da disfagia e do nível funcional da alimentação no estado nutricional. Disfagia mais intensa e maior restrição alimentar foram associadas com pior estado nutricional. Conclusão : Em pacientes adultos com PC, avaliados com intervalo de 12 meses, não houve piora do estado nutricional. A intensidade da disfagia e as restrições alimentares são fatores que interferem no estado nutricional dos pacientes, disfagia e restrições alimentares mais intensas associadas com pior estado nutricional.

HIGLIGHTS •Diets with modified consistencies may cause malnutrition. •Patients with dysphagia in long term health institutions should ingest the prescribed amount of food to avoid malnutrition. •In patients with cerebral palsy with more intense dysphagia and greater eat restrictions are associated with the worse nutritional status. •The nutritional status of patients with cerebral palsy and dysphagia do not always worsen between assessments with 12-month interval.

Evidence on Vocal Interventions in Adults: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To map the evidence on vocal intervention in people over 18 years old. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the following electronic databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS), LIVIVO, Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, SpeechBITE, and Web of Science. Gray literature was also used as an information source through searches on Google Scholar, Open Grey, ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis, and the Brazilian digital library of theses and dissertations. Systematic reviews (SR) with a population of individuals over 18 years old were included. The included reviews addressed speech-language pathology interventions in the vocal area with reports of their respective outcome. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was analyzed using the AMSTAR II tool. Quantitative analysis was performed by frequency distribution, and qualitative research was analyzed through narrative synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 2,443 references were retrieved, among which 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies had critically low quality, lacking the use of population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) components. Among the included SRs, 40% were made in Brazil, 45% were published in the Journal of Voice, and 75% analyzed dysphonic patients. The most frequent intervention was voice therapy (direct therapy associated with indirect therapy approaches). Positive results were observed in most of the outcomes for all studies. CONCLUSION: Voice therapy was described as inducing positive effects for voice rehabilitation. However, due to the critically low quality of studies, the literature did not enable us to understand the best results for each intervention. Well-designed studies are necessary to clarify the relationship between the intervention goal and how the intervention was evaluated.

Worldwide prevalence and associated risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and associated risk factors globally. METHODS: Six databases and registrations and three grey databases were explored for observational field research. Independently and impartially paired reviewers selected research, gathered data, and evaluated the methodological quality. Heterogeneity was investigated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression following the moderating variable in a meta-analysis of proportions with a random-effects model. The critical appraisal instrument developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute was used to evaluate the listed studies' methodology. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE tool. RESULTS: A total of 8236 articles were collected during the database search, resulting in 99 articles included for qualitative synthesis, and 98 articles were included for the meta-analysis. The estimated combined prevalence of OSA was 54% [CI 95% = 46-62%; I2 = 100%]. Mean age, percentage of moderate-severe cases, and the sample's body mass index (BMI) did not affect the heterogeneity that was already present when meta-regressed (p > 0.05). Ninety-one studies were deemed to have a low risk of bias, while eight were deemed to have a moderate risk. For OSA prevalence outcomes, the GRADE criteria were considered very low. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of the people worldwide have OSA. High BMI, increasing age, and male gender are described as risk factors in the literature, but these covariates do not affect pre-existing heterogeneity.

Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency in Post-Stroke Patients with and Without Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: An Observational Study.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a frequent complication after stroke (PSOD) that increases morbidity and mortality. Early detection of PSOD is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with acute stroke. In recent years, an association between reduced spontaneous swallowing frequency (SSF) and OD has been described. Likewise, the reduction of saliva substance P (SP) concentration has been associated with an increased risk of aspiration and a decrease in SSF. In this study we aimed to compare SSF, salivary SP concentration, hydration and nutritional status in post-stroke (PS) patients with and without OD. We included 45 acute PS patients (4.98 ± 2.80 days from stroke onset, 62.22% men, 71.78 ± 13.46 year). The Volume-Viscosity Swallowing Test (V-VST) was performed for clinical diagnosis of OD. SSF/minute was assessed through 10-min neurophysiological surface recordings including suprahyoid-electromyography and cricothyroid-accelerometry. Saliva samples were collected with a Salivette® to determine SP by ELISA. Hydration status was assessed by bioimpedance. Nutritional status was evaluated by Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-sf) and blood analysis. Twenty-seven PS patients (60%) had OD; 19 (40%), impaired safety of swallow. SSF was significantly reduced in PSOD, 0.23 ± 0.18 and PSOD with impaired safety, 0.22 ± 0.18 vs 0.48 ± 0.29 swallows/minute in PS without OD (PSnOD); (both p < 0.005). Nutritional risk was observed in 62.92% PSOD vs 11.11% PSnOD (p = 0.007) and visceral protein markers were also significantly reduced in PSOD (p < 0.05). Bioimpedance showed intracellular dehydration in 37.50% PSOD vs none in PSnOD. There were no differences for saliva SP concentrations. SSF is significantly reduced in PSOD in comparison with PSnOD. Acute PSOD patients present poor nutritional status, hydropenia, and high risk for respiratory complications.

The Impact of Periventricular Leukoaraiosis in Post-stroke Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Swallowing Biomechanics and MRI-Based Study.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a highly prevalent post-stroke complication commonly associated with topographically specific gray-matter damage. In contrast, the role of damage to the extensive white matter brain network (leukoaraiosis) in post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia has not yet been clarified. We aim to assess the role of leukoaraiosis in post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia. We designed a cross-sectional study and retrospectively collected from our database patients with dysphagia affected by a recent stroke and on whom both a brain 1.5 T-MRI and a videofluoroscopy had been performed. Leukoaraiosis was assessed in brainstem and in cerebral regions (periventricular or deep) with Fazekas scale. Penetration-Aspiration-Scale and time to laryngeal vestibule closure and to upper esophageal sphincter opening were analyzed. Study population (n = 121; 57% men, 75.5 ± 9.4y) presented mostly supratentorial ischemic PACI-type strokes. Of the patients, 86% had unsafe swallows (PAS = 3.97 ± 2.04); 94.2% had cerebral leukoaraiosis (Fazekas = 3.36 ± 1.7) and 42.1% had brainstem-leukoaraiosis, hypertension being the main risk factor. We found both significant positive associations between degree of periventricular-leukoaraiosis and total-leukoaraiosis and presence of risk of aspirations (p = 0.016 and p = 0.023, respectively); and a correlation between periventricular-leukoaraiosis and PAS scale severity (r = 0.179, p = 0.049). No correlations/associations were found between stroke volume and dysphagia in this study. Our study supports a role for leukoaraiosis in the pathophysiology of dysphagia. Stroke is associated with chronic short-connection/circuit injury and damage to periventricular white matter long connections is a relevant neuro-pathophysiological mechanism contributing to impaired safety of swallow in post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia patients.

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Older People is Associated with Reduced Pharyngeal Sensitivity and Low Substance P and CGRP Concentration in Saliva.

Substance P (SP) and Calcitonine gene-related peptide (CGRP) are released by sensory nerve fibers in the oropharynx. Patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) present reduced oropharyngeal sensitivity and low SP concentration in saliva. We aimed to assess the concentration of salivary SP and CGRP in healthy volunteers, and older people without and with OD, and the relationship with pharyngeal sensory threshold. We included 15 healthy volunteers, 14 healthy elderly and 14 elderly with OD. Swallow function was assessed by videofluoroscopy (VFS). Pharyngeal sensory threshold was assessed by intrapharyngeal electrical stimulation. Hydration and phase angle were assessed by bioimpedance. Saliva samples were collected with a Salivette® to determine SP and CGRP concentration by ELISA. Elderly patients with OD presented impaired safety of swallow (PAS 4.38 ± 0.77 p < 0.0001 vs. healthy volunteers = 1 and healthy elderly = 1.43 ± 0.51). Healthy elderly and elderly with OD presented a reduction in intracellular water and saliva volume (healthy elderly, 592.86 ± 327.79 µl, p = 0.0004; elderly with OD, 422.00 ± 343.01 µl, p = 0.0001 vs healthy volunteers, 1333.33 ± 615.91 µl, r = 0.6621, p < 0.0001). Elderly patients with OD presented an impairment in pharyngeal sensory threshold (10.80 ± 3.92 mA vs. healthy volunteers, 5.74 ± 2.57 mA; p = 0.007) and a reduction in salivary SP (129.34 pg/ml vs. healthy volunteers: 173.89 pg/ml; p = 0.2346) and CGRP levels (24.17 pg/ml vs. healthy volunteers: 508.18 pg/ml; p = 0.0058). There was a negative correlation between both SP and CGRP concentrations and pharyngeal sensory threshold (r = - 0.450, p = 0.024; r = - 0.4597, p = 0.036, respectively), but only SP identified elderly patients with OD with higher pharyngeal sensory threshold. Elderly patients with OD presented hydropenia and sarcopenia, reduced salivary SP and CGRP and impaired pharyngeal sensitivity. Our study suggests SP levels in saliva as a potential biomarker to monitor pharyngeal sensitivity in elderly patients with OD.

White Paper by the European Society for Swallowing Disorders: Screening and Non-instrumental Assessment for Dysphagia in Adults.

This White Paper by the European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) reports on the current state of screening and non-instrumental assessment for dysphagia in adults. An overview is provided on the measures that are available, and how to select screening tools and assessments. Emphasis is placed on different types of screening, patient-reported measures, assessment of anatomy and physiology of the swallowing act, and clinical swallowing evaluation. Many screening and non-instrumental assessments are available for evaluating dysphagia in adults; however, their use may not be warranted due to poor diagnostic performance or lacking robust psychometric properties. This white paper provides recommendations on how to select best evidence-based screening tools and non-instrumental assessments for use in clinical practice targeting different constructs, target populations and respondents, based on criteria for diagnostic performance, psychometric properties (reliability, validity, and responsiveness), and feasibility. In addition, gaps in research that need to be addressed in future studies are discussed. The following recommendations are made: (1) discontinue the use of non-validated dysphagia screening tools and assessments; (2) implement screening using tools that have optimal diagnostic performance in selected populations that are at risk of dysphagia, such as stroke patients, frail older persons, patients with progressive neurological diseases, persons with cerebral palsy, and patients with head and neck cancer; (3) implement measures that demonstrate robust psychometric properties; and (4) provide quality training in dysphagia screening and assessment to all clinicians involved in the care and management of persons with dysphagia.

COVID-19 is associated with oropharyngeal dysphagia and malnutrition in hospitalized patients during the spring 2020 wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Prevalence and complications of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and malnutrition (MN) in COVID-19 patients is unknown. Our aim was to assess the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of OD and MN in a general hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study involving clinical assessment of OD (Volume-Viscosity Swallowing Test), and nutritional screening (NRS2002) and assessment (GLIM criteria) in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in general wards at the Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Catalonia, Spain. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients were assessed at pre-admission, admission and discharge, and after 3 and 6-months follow-up. RESULTS: We included 205 consecutive patients (69.28 ± 17.52 years, Charlson 3.74 ± 2.62, mean hospital stay 16.8 ± 13.0 days). At admission, Barthel Index was 81.3 ± 30.3; BMI 28.5 ± 5.4 kg/m2; OD prevalence 51.7% (44.1% impaired safety of swallow); and 45.5% developed MN with a mean weight loss of 10.1 ± 5.0 kg during hospitalization. OD was an independent risk factor for MN during hospitalization (OR 3.96 [1.45-10.75]), and hospitalization was prolonged in patients with MN compared with those without (21.9 ± 14.8 vs 11.9 ± 8.9 days, respectively; p < 0.0001). OD was independently associated with comorbidities, neurological symptoms, and low functionality. At 6-month follow-up, prevalence of OD was still 23.3% and that of MN only 7.1%. Patients with OD at discharge showed reduced 6-month survival than those without OD at discharge (71.6% vs 92.9%, p < 0.001); in contrast, those with MN at discharge did not show 6-month survival differences compared to those without (85.4% vs 83.8%, p = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and burden of OD and MN in patients hospitalized in COVID-19 wards is very high. Our results suggest that optimizing the management of MN might shorten the hospitalization period but optimizing the management of OD will likely impact the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients and improve their clinical outcomes and survival after hospital discharge. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT04346212.

Citations of Brazilian manuscripts published in the journal Dysphagia from 2001 to 2020 / Citações dos trabalhos brasileiros publicados na revista Dysphagia de 2001 a 2020

ABSTRACT Purpose: to compare the number of citations in papers conducted in Brazil and published in the journal Dysphagia between 2001 and 2020 with that of papers conducted in other countries and published in the same number, volume, and year. Methods: in September 2021, the study assessed the number of citations received by Brazilian papers (n = 34) and reference group papers - which counted two for every Brazilian one (n = 68), published in the same number, volume, and year, between 2001 and 2020. Results: Brazilian papers published in the period had a lower mean number of citations (14.6) than those in the reference group (23.1, p = 0.01). From 2001 to 2010, the mean number of citations in the reference group (31.1) was greater than that of the Brazilian papers (16.7, p = 0.03), though not between 2011 and 2020 (Brazilians: 13.1, reference group: 17.5, p = 0.23). Two Brazilian papers (5.9%) and 18 from other countries (26.5%) received more than 30 citations between 2001 and 2020. Conclusion: the results suggest that the number of citations received by Brazilian papers is not influenced by the time since they have been published, unlike the papers in the reference group.

RESUMO Objetivo: comparar o número de citações de trabalhos realizados no Brasil e publicados na revista Dysphagia entre os anos de 2001 e 2020, com o de trabalhos realizados em outros países e publicados no mesmo número, volume e ano. Métodos: foi avaliado, em setembro de 2021, o número de citações dos trabalhos brasileiros (n=34) e de um grupo de referência com dois trabalhos para cada trabalho brasileiro (n=68), publicados no mesmo número, volume e ano, entre 2001 e 2020. Resultados: os trabalhos brasileiros publicados no período tiveram menor média de citações (14,6) quando comparados com os trabalhos do grupo de referência (23,1, p=0,01). A média de citações do grupo de referência (31,1) foi maior do que a dos brasileiros (16,7) no período 2001 a 2010 (p=0,03), mas não no período 2011 a 2020 (brasileiros: 13,1, grupo de referência: 17,5, p=0,23). Dois trabalhos brasileiros (5,9%) e 18 trabalhos de outros países (26,5%) tiveram mais de 30 citações no período 2001 a 2020. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que no número de citações dos trabalhos realizados no Brasil não há influência do tempo em que os trabalhos estão publicados, o que foi observado nos trabalhos do grupo de referência.

Effect of Aging, Gender and Sensory Stimulation of TRPV1 Receptors with Capsaicin on Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency in Patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Spontaneous swallowing contributes to airway protection and depends on the activation of brainstem reflex circuits in the central pattern generator (CPG). We studied the effect of age and gender on spontaneous swallowing frequency (SSF) in healthy volunteers and assessed basal SSF and TRPV1 stimulation effect on SSF in patients with post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). The effect of age and gender on SSF was examined on 141 healthy adult volunteers (HV) divided into three groups: GI-18-39 yr, GII-40-59 yr, and GIII->60 yr. OD was assessed by the Volume-Viscosity Swallowing Test (VVST). The effect of sensory stimulation with capsaicin 10-5 M (TRPV1 agonist) was evaluated in 17 patients with post-stroke OD, using the SSF. SSF was recorded in all participants during 10 min using surface electromyography (sEMG) of the suprahyoid muscles and an omnidirectional accelerometer placed over the cricothyroid cartilage. SSF was significantly reduced in GII (0.73 ± 0.50 swallows/min; p = 0.0385) and GIII (0.50 ± 0.31 swallows/min; p < 0.0001) compared to GI (1.03 ± 0.62 swallows/min), and there was a moderate significant correlation between age and SFF (r = -0.3810; p < 0.0001). No effect of gender on SSF was observed. Capsaicin caused a strong and significant increase in SSF after the TRPV1 stimulation when comparing to basal condition (pre-capsaicin: 0.41 ± 0.32 swallows/min vs post-capsaicin: 0.81 ± 0.51 swallow/min; p = 0.0003). OD in patients with post-stroke OD and acute stimulation with TRPV1 agonists caused a significant increase in SSF, further suggesting the potential role of pharmacological stimulation of sensory pathways as a therapeutic strategy for CPG activation in patients with OD.

Potential Influence of Olfactory, Gustatory, and Pharyngolaryngeal Sensory Dysfunctions on Swallowing Physiology in COVID-19.

Persistent smell and taste disorders have been reported as some of the most common symptoms after COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Sensory, olfactory, and gustatory functions perform an important role in the initiation and modulation of oropharyngeal swallow biomechanics and salivation as well as in mealtime enjoyment and appetite. Yet, the details of this interaction remain relatively unknown in patients who are infected with and recovering from COVID-19. In this commentary, we discuss the possible impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the central and peripheral nervous system and consider the pathophysiology of olfactory, gustatory, and pharyngolaryngeal sensory deficits and its influence on deglutition, describing hypotheses and offering guidance for future research.

Brazilian manuscripts published in the Dysphagia journal / Trabalhos brasileiros publicados na revista Dysphagia

ABSTRACT Objective: to survey the Brazilian participation in original and review articles published in the Dysphagia journal. Methods: original and review articles in volumes 1 to 35, quantifying all those developed in Brazil, the diseases researched, the places where the investigations were conducted, and the number of citations they received, were analyzed. The categorical variables are presented in relative and absolute frequencies. Literature Review: a total of 35 Brazilian manuscripts were published. The most researched disease was Parkinson's, followed by Chagas disease, stroke, and the physiology of swallowing. The highest number of publications was carried out at the Universidade de São Paulo, campus at Ribeirão Preto, SP, and the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, capital city. Between 2001 and 2010, 14 manuscripts were published (3.7% of the journal), and between 2011 and 2020, 20 were published (2.9% of the journal). By 2019, the manuscripts had received 481 citations - 17 citations per article between 1998 and 2009, and 14, between 2010 and 2019. Conclusion: Brazilian manuscripts are regularly published in the Dysphagia journal and have a scientific impact. However, there has not been a progressive increase in the number of published articles.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a participação brasileira em publicações de artigos originais e de revisão na revista Dysphagia. Métodos: foram analisados artigos originais e de revisão do volume 1 ao 35, com quantificação do total de artigos provenientes do Brasil, as doenças pesquisadas, o local onde a pesquisa foi realizada e o número de citações. As variáveis categóricas foram descritas como frequências relativas ou absolutas. Revisão da Literatura: foram publicados 35 trabalhos provenientes do Brasil. Doença de Parkinson foi a doença mais pesquisada, seguida da doença de Chagas, acidente vascular cerebral e fisiologia da deglutição. Universidade de São Paulo, campus de Ribeirão Preto (SP) e a Universidade Federal de São Paulo (SP) foram os locais com maior número de publicações. Entre 2001 e 2010, foram publicados 14 trabalhos (3,7% dos publicados na revista), e de 2011 a 2020 foram 20 (2,9% dos publicados na revista). Até 2019 os trabalhos tiveram 481 citações, sendo 17 citações por artigo entre 1998 e 2009, e 14 citações por artigo entre 2010 e 2019. Conclusão: as publicações de trabalhos brasileiros na revista Dysphagia têm regularidade e impacto, entretanto não houve aumento progressivo no número de artigos publicados.

Pathophysiology of Swallowing Dysfunction in Parkinson Disease and Lack of Dopaminergic Impact on the Swallow Function and on the Effect of Thickening Agents.

(1) Background: The effect of dopaminergic treatment on swallowing response in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suffering oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is not understood. Aim: To characterize OD pathophysiology in PD and to assess whether dopaminergic states affect swallow function and the effect of thickeners. (2) Methods: Fifty patients with PD (40 evaluated in OFF/ON states) and 12 healthy volunteers (HVs) were evaluated with videofluoroscopy (VFS) to assess the swallowing biomechanics and kinematics of the swallowing response at three different shear-viscosities (<50, 120, and 4000 mPa·s); (3) Results: Patients presented a mean age of 70.46 ± 10.03 years. Disease evolution was 5.09 ± 3.86 year and Hoehn-Yahr stage was 2.32 ± 0.81. For HVs, mean age was 40.20 ± 2.50 year. Penetrations were present in 37.50% of PD patients and were associated with delayed laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC = 293.33 ± 90.07 ms). In contrast, HVs presented a LVC = 164.00 ± 39.78 ms (p < 0.05). An LVC ≥ 260 ms cutoff predicted unsafe swallow (sensitivity ≥ 0.83, specificity ≥ 0.57, AUC = 0.80) in PD. Increasing bolus viscosity improved deglutition safety but increased oropharyngeal residue. There were no differences in swallowing between the OFF/ON states. (4) Conclusions: In initial PD stages, oropharyngeal swallow response is severely delayed, while mildly impaired swallow safety improves with increasing bolus viscosity, which increases residue. Dopaminergic treatment does not affect swallowing or the therapeutic effect of thickeners.