Abstract
BackgroundDysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to nasogastric tube insertion.MethodsNeurology consultants only were included and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning their practice backgrounds and previous experience with PEG feeding during their practice.ResultsNinety-eight percent stated that they would recommend PEG for patients with prolonged need of nasogastric feeding. However, only 88% actually referred patients to perform PEG, with the cerebrovascular disorders being the most common cases to be referred. The main barriers the surveyed neurologists faced were family resistance and financial reasons (53.5%). Interestingly, younger neurologists practicing for less than 15 years referred patient to perform PEG significantly more frequent than older ones (p = 0.01). About 18% of our sample confirmed the lack of sufficient knowledge about the benefits of PEG feeding, and only 22% previously attended scientific sessions about the benefits and indications of PEG.ConclusionBased on our study, we recommend that PEG should be more encouraged in indicated neurological cases. Scientific sessions targeting neurologists and public awareness about the benefits of PEG and its relatively infrequent complications are highly demanded.
Highlights
Dysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases
Prolonged dysphagia is encountered in patients with chronic neurological diseases and in about 10% of acute stroke survivors whose dysphagia extends more than 2 weeks in duration [3]
Guidelines recommend nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion for dysphagia and inability to obtain adequate caloric intake for less than 2 weeks and gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia as early as 14 days and as late as 4–6 weeks [5] with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to NGT insertion [6]
Summary
Dysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Neurogenic dysphagia can result from either upper motor or lower motor neuron affection [1]. Screening and multidisciplinary approaches are recommended for effective management of neurogenic dysphagia [4]. Guidelines recommend nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion for dysphagia and inability to obtain adequate caloric intake for less than 2 weeks and gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia as early as 14 days and as late as 4–6 weeks [5] with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to NGT insertion [6]. Dysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to nasogastric tube insertion
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
