Evaluation of swallowing function by two screening tests in primary COPD

Abstract

To the Editors: Swallowing is an important function to separate the airway and the oesophagus. Dysfunction of this mechanism may lead to aspiration of pathogenic oropharyngeal contents. The disorder of swallowing function can be evaluated by the simple two-step swallowing provocation test (STS-SPT) and repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST) 1, 2. Both screening tests are safe, rapid and of low cost. Recently, it has been reported that the swallowing dysfunction may be a risk factor for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 3. Therefore, detection of the swallowing dysfunction at an earlier stage of COPD may be very important in management of COPD patients and to prevent advancing stages of the disease. Swallowing dysfunction in advancing stages of COPD has been reported 3, 4. However, it …