Abstract
CONTEXTThis study aims to determine whether straw or cup use is superior for the control of a single thin liquid bolus in patients with symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia to liquids.METHODSThis is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study. Patients were studied at a Professional Voice and Swallowing Center by a laryngologist between April 2017 and April 2018. Twenty-five patients, 18 years of age or older, who presented with symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia the clinic were included in the study. Each patient complained of difficulty with choking on liquids. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. Patients that were unable to follow one to two step commands and patients with dysphagia that lack oral strength or respiratory strength to facilitate straw or cup usage were not included. Patients with dysphagia that are tracheostomy tube dependent were also not included.RESULTSThe average PAS for straw versus cup drinking at 10mL was 1.08 and 1.04 respectively with a p-value of 0.33. For straw versus cup at 20mL, the PAS was 1.04 and 1.26 respectively with a p-value of 0.13. For 30mL, the PAS was 1.0 and 1.4 for straw and cup use respectively with a p-value of 0.16. And for 40mL, the PAS was 1.0 and 1.09 with a p-value of 0.27.CONCLUSIONSNo statistical significant difference was demonstrated in risk of penetration or aspiration of thin liquids between cup and straw usage in patients with mild oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Highlights
Dysphagia, derived from the Greek words “dys” and “phagia”, is the medical term that describes difficulty swallowing
This study aims to determine whether straw or cup use is superior for the control of a single thin liquid bolus in patients with symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia to liquids
Twenty-five patients, 18 years of age or older, who presented with symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia the clinic were included in the study
Summary
Dysphagia, derived from the Greek words “dys” and “phagia”, is the medical term that describes difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia affects around 2-11% of the general North American population.[1] There are multiple causes of dysphagia, the most common of which differ by age groups.[2] In the middle-aged population, the most common culprits of dysphagia are immunological and gastroesophageal causes, whereas in the elderly population, dysphagia is most commonly caused by oncologic or neurologic factors. These factors include sarcopenia, cerebrovascular accidents, Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron diseases, and iatrogenic causes as a result of intubation or effects of head and neck cancer treatments. Ingestion of liquid with a chin tuck is difficult without a straw
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