Effects of Presbyphagia on Oropharyngeal Swallowing Observed during Modified Barium Swallow Studies.

Abstract

Understanding how aging impacts swallowing can help differentiate typical from atypical behaviors. This study aimed to quantify age-related swallowing alterations observed during a modified barium swallow study. Cross-sectional study. Adult fluoroscopy suite in a metropolitan hospital at an academic center. 195 healthy adults distributed across 3 age categories: 21-39; 40-59; 60+ years. 17 physiologic components of swallowing across three functional domains (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal), including summed composite scores (Oral Total [OT] and Pharyngeal Total [PT]), from the validated and standardized Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile. Most components (65%) demonstrated no impairment (scores of "0"). The odds of a worse (higher) score increased significantly with age for: Tongue Control during Bolus Hold, Hyolaryngeal Movement, Laryngeal Closure, Pharyngeal Contraction, and Pharyngoesophageal Segment Opening. OT and PT scores for 40-59-year-olds were worse than the youngest group (p=.01 and p <.001, respectively). Adults 60+ years had significantly worse PT scores among all groups (p-values <.01). Oropharyngeal swallowing physiology evolves as healthy adults age and should be considered during clinical decision-making.