Diagnosis Of Dysphagia Research Articles

Electromyography in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dysphagia: cross-sectional study

Introduction: neurogenic dysphagia is a set of swallowing disorders caused by diseases that affect the nervous system, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Specific complementary tests can be performed to evaluate and clarify the diagnosis, such as swallowing videoendoscopy, videofluoroscopy and surface electromyography. The present study arose from the need for greater availability of investigative methods for the early diagnosis of dysphagia. Objective: to evaluate the association between Surface Electromyography and swallowing videoendoscopy for the diagnosis of dysphagia in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods: 32 subjects participated, 16 from Group A, subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. and 16 from Group B, control. Based on the quantitative data generated by the tools, Surface Electromyography and Swallowing Videoendoscopy, descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Result: there was a strong statistical correlation between Surface Electromyography (rest to maximum voluntary contraction ratio) and Videoendoscopy of Swallowing (O’Neil swallowing scale). The correlation coefficient was r= -0.747, indicating a strong negative correlation (inversely proportional) between these variables. Conclusion: thus, there was an association between Surface Electromyography and Videoendoscopy of Swallowing for the diagnosis of dysphagia in subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Portable Surface Electromyography proved to be an important exam for the early diagnosis of neurogenic dysphagia.

Atypical Presentation and Management of Giant Tonsillolith: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract This report details a unique case of a 53-year-old patient presenting with dysphagia, odynophagia, and trismus in ”Sf. Apostol Andrei” County Emergency Clinical Hospital Constanta, Romania. Examination revealed a large mass within the left tonsil, prompting a differential diagnosis encompassing malignancy, abscess, and foreign body. Radiological evaluation proved challenging, as the mass mimicked a tumor on initial studies. Ultimately, CT scan confirmed the presence of a giant tonsillolith measuring an exceptional 51/23/31mm - exceeding the largest previously documented case (4.2 cm). Surgical excision under local anesthesia successfully removed the tonsillolith. This case underscores the importance of considering giant tonsilloliths in the differential diagnosis of oropharyngeal dysphagia, particularly in patients with suboptimal oral hygiene. We further emphasize the potential diagnostic challenges associated with these rare presentations and the crucial role of advanced imaging modalities. A comprehensive review of the literature regarding tonsillolith formation, diagnosis, and management is included.

Dysphagia and Dysphonia After Head and Neck Cancer.

The purpose of this work is to synthesize the latest developments in diagnosis and management of acute and late dysphagia and dysphonia in oral cavity cancer. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar in May 2024 of articles published between 2021 and 2024. Keywords in the search terms included oral cavity cancer, dysphagia, dysphonia, deglutition, swallowing, voice, oral cavity cancer treatment, oral cavity radiation, chemotherapy, dysgeusia, xerostomia, swallow preservation. Twenty-seven pertinent studies fit the inclusion criteria. The most common dysphagic complaints following head and neck cancer are trismus, xerostomia, mucositis and dysphagia. Dysphonia, change in voice is reported by half of head and neck cancer survivors. Fibrosis and neuropathy following radiation therapy to the oral cavity, tongue, oropharynx and its surrounding structures is the most common etiology of post-treatment dysphonia. Oral cavity cancers cause speech and swallowing dysfunction due to both anatomic and post-treatment changes. These sequalae can be detrimental to the quality of life of the head and neck cancer survivor. For both dysphagia and dysphonia after head and neck cancer early speech and swallow therapy with a Speech Language Pathologist are essential to restoring and maintaining function.

Dysphagia Screening in Residential Long-Term Care Settings in the Republic of Ireland: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Dysphagia affects up to 70% of older adults living in residential long-term care settings (RLTCS) and may lead to serious complications if not identified and adequately managed. However, there is a dearth of clinical guidelines tailored to older adults at risk of dysphagia in RLTCS. An online survey consisting of 40 questions was conducted to identify dysphagia screening practices, referral patterns and interventions implemented by nurses in cases of suspected dysphagia, to quantify the number of residents with dysphagia, episodes of aspiration pneumonia in the previous year, and use of modified texture diets and fluids and explore differences between groups of RLTCS. The survey was developed using Qualtrics XM Platform and circulated via email, with one response per RLTCS sought. Data were analysed using RStudio. Of the 429 RLTCS contacted, 45 completed and returned the survey, a 10.5% response rate. Dysphagia screening practices, referral patterns, and dysphagia management interventions varied across participating RLTCS. All participants reported that they observe for signs and symptoms of dysphagia at mealtimes to identify residents at-risk of dysphagia. Ninety six percent of RLTCS reported referring residents with suspected dysphagia to speech and language therapy dysphagia services. A diagnosis of dysphagia was reported in 35.3% of residents. All participating RLTCS reported providing modified texture diets and fluids if residents had suspected dysphagia. The implementation of standardised and validated dysphagia screening protocols in RLTCS in the Republic of Ireland may be useful in supporting the identification of at-risk residents.

Measurement Properties of Korean Version of Swallowing-Related Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: A Scoping Review

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been studied for their application in the evaluation of patient experiences of dysphagia and swallowing-related quality of life in Korea. However, there has not been sufficient attention to these measures. This scoping review was to overview the latest evidence on swallowing-related PROMs and those measurement properties. We also performed a quality assessment for the cross-cultural adaptation of the PROMs if those were adapted in Korea. We reviewed articles published in English and Korean from their beginning through December 2023 using three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Because this review included both the translated versions of and Korean-developed questionnaires, the cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties of PROMs were investigated for quality assessment. We evaluated nine studies with eight PROMs in total. The cross-cultural adaptation of PROMs generally demonstrated poor quality, in terms of a lack of evidence on the translational process to adequately adapt the questionnaire items to different socio-cultural contexts. The Korean-developed questionnaires also showed poor quality of the measurement properties. This may be due to the questionnaires' early developmental stage at present. This scoping review was the first to outline the current evidence on swallowing-related PROMs in Korea. Further studies are necessary to ensure the high methodological quality of the questionnaires for dysphagia diagnosis and intervention.

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia in neurological diseases

Swallowing disorders are common in many neurological diseases, especially in stroke, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia, and multiple sclerosis. Neurogenic dysphagia is associated with an increased risk of death and serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition, which points to the importance of implementing recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders into neurological practice. If the initial screening for swallowing disorders is positive, further workup includes a combination of bedside tests and ancillary investigations, such as comprehensive clinical, videofluoroscopic and endoscopic swallowing evaluation. These measures allow to determine the type and degree of dysphagia severity, which is necessary for choosing the optimal therapeutic strategy. Treatment of patients with neurogenic dysphagia requires multidisciplinary approaches involving a team of specialists, including neurologists, speech and language therapists, gastroenterologists, and dietitians. Therapeutic strategy should include providing adequate nutritional support by diet modification and/or enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy, appropriate management of underlying and concomitant diseases, prevention and treatment of complications as well as rehabilitation interventions. Future directions to reduce swallowing disorders in neurological diseases will probably comprise a combination of rehabilitation measures with pharmacotherapy and non-invasive stimulation/neuromodulation. Early detection and effective treatment of dysphagia is crucial for achieving better outcomes and improving the quality of life in patients with neurological diseases.

Community Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation Of Swallowing (FEES): A Prospective Cohort Study Of Clinical, Process And Patient-Reported Outcomes

Abstract Background Dysphagia prevalence increases with age, impacts on quality of life and increases healthcare utilisation and cost (Atrill 2018). Instrumental swallowing assessment is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia but can be difficult to access in the community. FEES is a gold-standard instrumental assessment delivered by speech and language therapists (SLTs). The aim of this abstract is to report clinical, process and patient-reported outcomes of participants who had a community FEES over a 6-month period. Methods A prospective cohort study recruiting adults who accessed community FEES in Ireland's Mid-West. Baseline assessment data (demographics, a range of validated tools and process data) were recorded at index visit. A structured phone interview was completed at six months. The primary outcome was the rate of medical complications potentially caused by dysphagia at follow-up. Secondary outcomes included healthcare utilisation, dysphagia severity, functional status and quality of life. Results 62 participants were recruited: mean age: 70.98 (SD=15.01), 55.4% were female. At follow-up, 27.42% reported medical complications potentially attributable to dysphagia, 27.4% had attended general practice, 3.23% attended medical assessment units, 6.45% attended emergency departments. 82.26% were diagnosed with dysphagia or modified independence: Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale (DOSS) ≤6, (M=5.2, SD=1.53). Changes to dysphagia care plans were recommended in 60.94% of cases. There was significant difference in Functional Oral Index Scale (FOIS) scores across time, F (1.75, 106.78) = 5.38, p = 0.008. FOIS scores at 6 months (M=5.92, SD=1.50) were significantly higher than pre-FEES (M=6.42, SD=1.37). Significant differences in quality of life (EQ5D5L-VAS) scores p<0.001 were detected: higher scores at 6-months (M=69.35; SD=20.42) compared to index visit (M=64.52; SD=19.44). Conclusion Access to community FEES for older persons may improve outcomes by reducing the frequency of dysphagia-related complications and healthcare utilisation, improving functional swallowing status, enhancing quality of life and contribute to evidence-based dysphagia diagnosis and care planning.

The Relationship Between Poststroke Dysphagia and Poststroke Depression and Its Risk Factors.

A diagnosis of dysphagia and/or depression after stroke can impact the physical, psychological, and social welfare of stroke survivors. Although poststroke depression (PSD) and poststroke dysphagia are known to occur concurrently, there is a paucity of research that has specifically investigated their association. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between PSD and poststroke dysphagia during acute inpatient hospitalization and within 90 days after discharge. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the odds and hazard of being diagnosed with depression after stroke and estimate the time to depression diagnosis from the initial stroke diagnosis in patients with and without a diagnosis of dysphagia. Using the acute inpatient hospital data set from our previous work, we pulled additional postdischarge administrative claims data from the 2017 Medicare 5% Limited Data Set and conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with poststroke dysphagia and PSD. Patients diagnosed with poststroke dysphagia had 2.7 higher odds of being diagnosed with PSD and had an approximately 1.75-fold higher hazard for PSD diagnosis in the 90 days after discharge compared to patients not diagnosed with dysphagia. Risk factors for PSD included having dysphagia, being female, and having dual eligibility. Our results demonstrated a significant association between PSD and poststroke dysphagia. Additional research should further explore the impact of PSD on poststroke dysphagia.

Dysphagia Prevalence in Brazil, UK, China, and Indonesia and Dysphagic Patient Preferences.

Dysphagia is common, but there is limited information about its prevalence and patient preferences regarding dosage forms (oral solids, liquids, topical, etc.) in Brazil, China, the United Kingdom (UK), and Indonesia. We conducted an online survey of 1000 adults from each country, without any required disease, to estimate the prevalence of dysphagia in these four nations and the dosage form preferences among UK patients. A total of 36.9%, 40.5%, 54.9%, and 64.5% from the UK, Indonesia, Brazil, and China, respectively, had an Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score of ≥3 (indicative of dysphagia). Only 2% of UK respondents and 5% of Brazilian respondents reported a formal diagnosis of dysphagia. Indonesian (74%) and Chinese respondents (77%) were more likely than Brazilian (52%) and UK respondents (45%) to report that their swallowing problems affected their ability to adhere to medication instructions. Liquids were the oral medication formulation most preferred by those who reported difficulty swallowing. To conclude, substantial populations have difficulty swallowing, which can translate into an access issue for medical treatment. The availability of people's preferred dosage forms may help alleviate the adherence issues associated with difficulty swallowing and the concomitant effects on health outcomes.

Clinical Diagnosis of Esophageal Dysphagia Using Transnasal Esophagoscopy: A Case Report.

The aim of the present study was three folds; (i) to correlate clinical case history with objective findings of a client presented with sternal discomfort along with odynophagia; (ii) to evaluate the cause for retrosternal discomfort using Functional Esophagoscopy (FE); and (iii) to reaffirm the Cook's (2008) algorithm for clinical diagnosis of esophageal dysphagia in single sitting using Transnasal Esophagoscopy (TNE). A 72 years old male (named 'G') visited a tertiary health care hospital with a complaint of imbalance for past 2 months. Also, had a complaint of pain while swallowing for the past 15 days along with left arm weakness (for past 2 days) and got admitted for treatment. Pertaining to swallowing, a detailed case history was taken and Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was performed to evaluate swallowing safety functions using digital swallowing workstation (KAYPENTAX, New Jersy, USA). A large growth was noticed in the lower border of esophagous using TNE in this patient. The oral, oro-pharyngeal, and pharyngeal phase of swallowing was intact. Esophageal phase of swallowing revealed reduced peristaltic movement including a mass lesion observed in client 'G' from TNE procedure. Clinical correlation of objective findings in this client corroborated well with history. Visualization studies including TNE can be used safely, comfortably in OPD basis without any anesthesia would be few advantages of TNE procedure. Even lesions at lower end of esophagus can be detected using TNE and it is concluded that the symptom retro-sternal discomfort might be clinically correlated with history and objectively determined by TNE procedure as esophageal dysphagia due to structural lesion. Also, algorithm of Cook's (2008) guides the investigation procedure quickly in a single sitting. Therefore, clinical history about patient is imperative that accurately guides further in terms of patient's care for assessment and treatment.

Narrative review of diagnosis, management and treatment of dysphagia and sialorrhea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The degenerative motor neuron disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) frequently leads bulbar symptoms like dysarthria, dysphagia, and sialorrhea, in approximately one-third of cases being the initial symptom. Throughout the disease, more than two-thirds of ALS patients experience dysphagia, regardless of the region of onset. In this review, we aimed to offer an updated overview of dysphagia and sialorrhea in ALS, covering its diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment in clinical practice. Regular assessment of dysphagia and sialorrhea during each patient visit is essential and should be a standard aspect of ALS care. Early discussion of potential treatments such as high-calorie diets or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is crucial. Furthermore, this review highlights and discusses potential areas for improvement in both clinical practice and research.

Ultrasound Utilization in the Diagnosis and Management of Dysphagia

Ultrasound Utilization in the Diagnosis and Management of Dysphagia

Prevalence of dysphagia following posterior fossa tumor resection: a systematic review and meta‑analysis

ObjectiveDysphagia is common in individuals who have undergone posterior fossa tumor (PFT) resection and negatively impacts on the individual’s quality of life, nutritional status, and overall health. We aimed to quantitatively synthesize data from studies of the prevalence of dysphagia following PFT resection.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, and VIP database were searched for case-control and cross-sectional studies that evaluated the prevalence of dysphagia after PFT surgery. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the prevalence of dysphagia. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to determine the sources of heterogeneity among the studies.ResultsA total of 22 studies were included, involving 20,921 cases. A meta-analysis of the random-effects model showed that the pooled global prevalence of dysphagia following PFT resection was 21.7% (95% confidence interval: 16.9–26.6). The subgroup and meta-regression analyses demonstrated that participant age (P < 0.001), assessment methods (P = 0.004), and geographical region of the study participants (P = 0.001) were sources of heterogeneity among the studies.ConclusionsDysphagia has a high prevalence following PFT resection. Individuals with PFTs who are at a high risk for dysphagia should be identified early through screening. Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia are required to improve the outcomes in the early stages after PFT resection.

Fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopic evaluation of swallowing for the detection of dysphagia in patients with stroke: a integrative review

Difficulty for swallowing, clinically defined as dysphagia, is a common manifestation in stroke patients and significantly increases the risk of clinical complications. The objective of this study was to perform a integrative review of the literature regarding the accuracy of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) for detecting dysphagia in patients with stroke. Methods: We conducted a search for articles published from 2000 to 2021 in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Bireme databases. The following keywords were used: "fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)" and "stroke". Results: It was identified 23 articles that utilized fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) to screen stroke patients for dysphagia. The overall sensitivity and specificity of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) ranged from 55.9% to 100%. Conclusions: The standardization of specific protocols for the diagnosis of dysphagia in stroke patients is necessary, both in clinical tests and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), as special care is essential for these patients given their unique clinical characteristics.

Age and sex differences in sarcopenic dysphagia: A secondary data analysis.

Age and sex differences in sarcopenic dysphagia are unknown. The purpose is to characterize age and sex differences in sarcopenic dysphagia. A cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study using information from the Japanese database on sarcopenic dysphagia was performed. We investigated age and sex differences between sarcopenic dysphagia and other forms of dysphagia. We investigated whether differences in prognosis for swallowing function, as assessed by the Food Intake Level Scale, and activities of daily living (ADL), as assessed by the Barthel Index were influenced by age and sex in patients with sarcopenic dysphagia. The study included 460 patients, including 229 men and 231 women, with a mean age of 81 ± 10 years. Fifty-eight percent of the patients had sarcopenic dysphagia. Age was independently associated with sarcopenic dysphagia (odds ratio (OR): 1.056, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.035, 1.078), although sarcopenic dysphagia could also be seen in those younger than 65 years. Sex was not independently associated with sarcopenic dysphagia. The age cut-off for the diagnosis of sarcopenic dysphagia was 82 years in all patients (sensitivity, 0.660; specificity, 0.644), 80 years in men (sensitivity, 0.619; specificity, 0.631), and 83 years in women (sensitivity, 0.723; specificity, 0.577). Sarcopenic dysphagia showed no significant differences in the improvement of swallowing function and ADL based on age and sex. Sarcopenic dysphagia was most common in older adults in their 80s or older. The possibility of sarcopenic dysphagia should be considered when dysphagia is present in people 80 years of age or older.

A new computed tomography-based approach to quantify swallowing muscle volume by measuring tongue muscle area in a single slice.

Measuring the swallowing muscle mass with volume measurements is complex and time intensive; therefore, it is not used in clinical practice. However, it can be clinically relevant, for instance, in the case of sarcopenic dysphagia. The aim of the study was to develop a feasible and clinically applicable method to measure swallowing muscle mass. Data from 10 head and neck cancer patients were collected from the Oncological Life Study data-biobank of the University Medical Center Groningen. The pharyngeal constrictor, genioglossus, mylohyoid and geniohyoid complex muscles, as well as the tongue complex muscles, were delineated manually on routinely performed head and neck computed tomography scans. Axial and sagittal planes were used for volume and area measurements, respectively. Muscle density measurements were performed with and without Hounsfield unit thresholding. Correlations were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients, and interobserver reliability was measured using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Significant differences were observed between sagittal area measurements with and without Hounsfield unit thresholds for pharyngeal constrictor, tongue complex and the sum of the swallowing muscles (t>6; P-value<0.001). Stronger correlations emerged without Hounsfield unit thresholding. Strong positive and significant correlations were found between the total swallowing muscle mass volume and the sagittal area of the tongue complex muscles (r=0.87, P-value<0.05) and the sum of the sagittal areas of the pharyngeal constrictor and tongue complex muscles (r=0.85, P-value<0.05). The use of the Hounsfield unit threshold weakened correlations. Interobserver reliability was assessed and found to be fair to good for the pharyngeal constrictor muscle (ICC=0.68, P-value<0.05), excellent for the tongue complex muscles (ICC=0.98, P-value<0.05) and excellent for the total swallowing muscle area (ICC=0.96, P-value<0.05). Single-slice delineation of the sagittal area of tongue complex muscle and pharyngeal constrictor muscle is a promising, fast, simple and clinically applicable method for measuring the total volume of the swallowing muscle mass in head and neck cancer patients without Hounsfield unit thresholding. These advancements and findings would help in the early and accurate diagnosis of definitive sarcopenic dysphagia.

Dysphagia in neurological disorders

Neurogenic dysphagia is a disorder with impaired swallowing, which is caused by various disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems, neuromuscular transmission, or muscles. Dysphagia is one of the most common and at the same time the most dangerous symptoms of many neurological disorders. Patients with dysphagia often have severe disability, a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia, and significantly increased mortality rate. Despite the availability of many diagnostic screening methods, clinical scales, questionnaires, and instrumental diagnostic methods, the issue of neurogenic dysphagia is underestimated, especially in the early stages. As a result, patients do not receive timely treatment and prevention of dysphagia and associated complications. Validation of available diagnostic scales, development of international protocols and standards for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dysphagia and associated complications are important to establish a unified and evidence-based approach for patients with dysphagia.

Clinical indicators of dysphagia in patients with Parkinson disease

PurposeIt is well known that dysphagia in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) can be very disabling and hurt the quality of life. Thus, tongue function is crucial for swallowing. In this line, it has been proposed that inadequate lingual pressure conditions the swallowing process. We aimed to determine whether lingual pressures in PD patients are lower than in a control group. Also, to test whether objective lingual pressures correlate with questionnaires designed to detect dysphagia. MethodThirty-eight patients with PD and thirty-eight age- and gender-matched controls completed lingual pressure tasks with the IOWA oral performance instrument. Additionally, the experimental group completed the DYMUS questionnaire for the early detection of dysphagia and the Dysphapark questionnaire for assessing swallowing disorder awareness. ResultPatients with PD presented significantly lower scores in lingual pressure tasks compared to the control group. Correlation analysis showed significant correlations between lingual pressure tasks and both questionnaires. ConclusionLingual pressures, DYMUS and Dysphapark questionnaires can serve as clinical indicators for assessing dysphagia and prompt diagnosis and early speech therapy intervention of dysphagia in PD patients.

Transition experiences of patients with post stroke dysphagia and family caregivers: A longitudinal, qualitative study.

Stroke patients with dysphagia and family caregivers will experience multiple transitions during the whole process of the disease and various nursing needs will be generated. There is a lack of knowledge about their experiences at different transition stages. Thus, we aimed to explore the transition experiences of patients with post stroke dysphagia and family caregivers from admission to discharge home. A semi-structured interview based on Meleis's transition theory was used during hospitalization and telephone follow-up interviews were conducted in the first, third, and sixth month after the diagnosis of dysphagia. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method. A total of 17 participants enrolled in the first face-to-face interview, 16 participants took part in the first month's telephone follow-up interview, 14 participants in the third month, and 12 participants in the sixth month. The transition experiences of patients with post stroke dysphagia and family caregivers could be summarized into three themes: (1)transition from onset to admission; (2)transition from discharge to other rehabilitation institutions; and (3)transition from discharge to home. Each theme had identified interrelated subthemes. The experiences of patients with post stroke dysphagia and family caregivers during transition are a dynamic process with enormous challenges in each phase. Collaboration with health care professionals, follow-up support after discharge, and available community and social support should be integrated into transitional nursing to help patients facilitate their transition.

Brief Resolved Unexplained Events Symptoms Frequently Result in Inappropriate Gastrointestinal Diagnoses and Treatment

ObjectiveTo determine associations between presenting symptoms and oropharyngeal dysphagia diagnoses, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnoses, and treatment with acid suppression medication in infants with brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE). Study designWe performed a prospective cohort study of infants with BRUE to review presenting symptoms and their potential impact on testing and treatment. Videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) results and explanatory diagnoses were obtained from medical record review; acid suppression use was determined by parental survey. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between presenting symptoms and obtaining VFSS, VFSS results, GERD diagnoses, and acid suppression medication. ResultsPresenting symptoms were varied in 157 subjects enrolled at 51.0±5.3 days of age, with many symptoms that may be related to GERD or dysphagia. Of these, 28% underwent VFSS with 71% abnormal. Overall, 42% had their BRUE attributed to GERD and 33% were treated with acid suppression during follow-up. Presenting symptoms were significantly associated with the decision to obtain VFSS but not with abnormal VFSS results. Presenting symptoms were also associated with provision of GERD explanatory diagnoses. Both presenting symptoms and GERD explanatory diagnoses were associated with acid suppression use (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.03-5.3, p=0.04). ConclusionsPresenting symptoms may play a role in clinicians’ decisions about which BRUE patients undergo VFSS but are unreliable to make a diagnosis of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Presenting symptoms may also influence assignment of a GERD explanatory diagnoses that is associated with increased acid suppression medication use.