Poor Swallowing Function Research Articles

Efficacy of swallowing rehabilitative therapies for adults with dysphagia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Dysphagia leads to poor swallowing function and high risk of aspiration; swallowing rehabilitative therapies including jaw exercises, tongue exercises, chin tuck against resistance (CTAR), Shaker exercises, effortful swallow training (EST), traditional dysphagia therapy (TDT), and respiratory muscle training (RMT) including inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) and expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) are a crucial part of dysphagia rehabilitation. However, limited evidence exists on the comparative efficacy of swallowing rehabilitative therapies in adults with dysphagia. This is the first network meta-analysis (NMA) to investigate the comparative efficacy of swallowing rehabilitative therapies for adults with dysphagia. Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PubMed were comprehensively searched until September, 2024. The Frequentist NMA model was performed in R-Software presenting standardized mean differences with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for swallowing function and aspiration. Cochrane Q, τ2, and I2 statistics estimated heterogeneity and full design-by-treatment interaction random-effects and node-splitting models determined transitivity. Ranking of the swallowing rehabilitative therapies used the netrank function. The search yielded 7697 studies from which 25 randomized controlled trials with 1020 adults with dysphagia were included. The study findings revealed that CTAR + TDT (SMD = 3.44 [95% CI 2.42, 4.47]), EMST + TDT (SMD = 2.92 [95% CI 1.59, 4.25]), Shaker + TDT (SMD = 2.83 [95% CI 1.81, 3.84]), JE + TDT (SMD = 2.52 [95% CI 1.21, 3.83]), TE + TDT (SMD = 2.19 [95% CI 1.26, 3.12]), RMT + TDT (SMD = 2.14 [95% CI 1.36, 2.93]), and TDT (SMD = 1.92 [95% CI 1.42, 2.42]) showed very-large to huge effect in improving swallowing function. CTAR + TDT (0.93) demonstrated superior improvements for better swallowing function. Additionally, CTAR + TDT (SMD = - 1.82 [95% CI - 2.89, - 0.75]), Shaker + TDT (SMD = - 1.32 [95% CI - 2.36, - 0.27]), EMST (SMD = - 1.23 [95% CI, - 2.01, - 0.45]), and EMST + TDT (SMD = - 1.10 [95% CI - 2.15, - 0.04]) revealed very-large to large effect in preventing aspiration. CTAR + TDT (0.96) and Shaker + TDT (0.76) demonstrated superior improvements for reduced aspiration. The combination of swallowing rehabilitative therapies including CTAR + TDT and Shaker + TDT offers a more comprehensive approach for dysphagia management in adults. Study registration is PROSPERO: CRD42022321345.

Evaluation of Patient Outcomes after Pharmacological Intervention in Home Health Care Utilizing Pharmaceutical Care Records

The purpose of this study was to identify patient outcomes after pharmacist interventions in the home health care context using pharmaceutical care records accumulated during daily operations. We focused on 591 cases at Nakajima Pharmacy from April 2020 to December 2021, where dispensing fees were charged to prevent duplication of medication and unnecessary interactions of home patients (excluding those related to adjustment of ongoing medications). The study investigated the content and background of prescription changes, the follow-up rate, and patient outcomes. The most common circumstances that led to pharmacist intervention for homebound patients were symptom occurrence (uncontrolled symptom, new symptom, drug adverse event). Of the patients for whom pharmacist intervention was provided for symptoms, 72.8% received follow-up according to the pharmaceutical care records. Furthermore, 59.2% of patients with follow-up showed an improvement of their symptoms. In addition, many patients had their medications discontinued or the dosage reduced by the pharmacist despite stable symptoms. More than 90% of these patients showed no change in symptoms. Besides interventions associated with the occurrence of symptoms, many interventions related to medication adherence were found to result from the patient's physical condition, such as poor swallowing function. The results suggest that tracking pharmacy drug histories may help pharmacists to better understand the need for follow-up implementation and the changes in patient outcomes after interventions.

Pilot study on the relationship between oral function or subjective symptoms and appetite.

This pilot study evaluated the relationships between appetite and oral function, and between appetite and the subjective symptoms of decreased oral function. Seventy-one adult dental clinic patients (22 males, 66.0 ± 14.0 years) participated in this study. A Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire score of ≤28 indicated anorexia, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-form, body mass index and skeletal muscle mass index were used to define subject characteristics. Seven oral function tests and seven subjective symptoms related to oral function were evaluated. The relationship between subject characteristics, oral function tests, subjective symptoms and anorexia was analysed using the chi-square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression. There were significant differences between the normal appetite group and the anorexia group for the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey and the question 'Food remains in the oral cavity after eating' (p < .05). Univariate logistic regression found significant differences in the items of masticatory function, the EAT-10 survey and the question 'Food remains in the oral cavity after eating'. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant differences in masticatory function (AOR 4.35; 95% CI: 1.03-18.35; p = .045) and EAT-10 (AOR 6.27; 95% CI: 1.40-24.02; p = .016). This pilot study investigated the influence of factors related to oral function on appetite. Relationships were found among poor masticatory function, poor swallowing function and anorexia.

Longitudinal association of oral functions and dementia in Japanese older adults.

The relationship between oral functions and dementia was examined in 7384 older adults (age ≥ 75years) who visited a dental clinic in Gifu, Japan. Participants without dementia in a baseline survey in April 2018 were followed until March 2021. As oral functions, chewing function, tongue and lip function, and swallowing function were assessed by self-administered questionnaire, by oral diadochokinesis test, and by repetitive saliva swallowing test, respectively. The presence of systemic diseases was based on data obtained from the National Database of Health Insurance of Japan. At follow-up, 415 (6%) participants were diagnosed with dementia. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed the presence of dementia at follow-up was associated with female (odds ratio [OR] 1.386; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.117-1.719), age (OR 1.078; CI 1.056-1.101), regular dental checkups (absence; OR 1.452; CI 1.180-1.788), brushing frequency ≥ twice/day (absence; OR 1.510; CI 1.194-1.911), decayed teeth (presence; OR 1.328; CI 1.071-1.648), swallowing function (poor; OR 1.484; CI 1.135-1.939) at baseline. It was found that poor swallowing function was associated with the future onset of dementia.

Longitudinal association between oral function and underweight onset among community-dwelling older adults: Role of regular self-weighing.

Regular self-weighing is effective in weight management and may help to mitigate the risk of underweight among older adults. We examined which factors of oral function are associated with a risk for underweight among community-dwelling older adults and whether regular self-weighing can mitigate that risk. This was a cohort study. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 7665 older adults in March 2019 (response rate 74.3%) and 7591 in March 2020 (response rate 74.7%). Among those who responded to both surveys, 3594 older adults who were not underweight in March 2019 were included (follow-up rate: 59.2%). We examined the association between dysphagia, poor masticatory function, and dry mouth and the development of underweight, and whether regular self-weighing reduced the risk for underweight. The average age±standard deviation of participants was 71.1±3.4 years. There was a significant association between swallowing difficulty and the occurrence of underweight (odds ratio=1.65, p=.012). However, this relationship did not differ significantly with regular self-weighing (p=.477). These study findings suggest that to prevent underweight among community-dwelling older adults, it is important to focus on those with poor swallowing function.

Towards an operational definition of oral frailty: A e-Delphi study

ObjectivesBuilding upon our recently developed conceptual definition of oral frailty (the age-related functional decline of orofacial structures), this e-Delphi study aims to develop an operational definition of oral frailty by identifying its components. MethodsWe used a modified e-Delphi study to reach a consensus among international experts on the components of oral frailty. Twelve out of fifteen invited experts in the field of gerodontology participated. Experts responded to three rounds of an online 5-point scale questionnaire of components to be included or excluded from the operational definition of oral frailty. After each round, scores and rationales were shared with all experts, after which they could revise their position. A consensus was reached when at least 70% of the experts agreed on whether or not a component should be included in the operational definition of oral frailty. ResultsThe experts achieved a high level of agreement (80 – 100%) on including eight components of oral frailty and excluding nineteen. The operational definition of oral frailty should include the following components: 1) difficulty eating hard or tough foods, 2) inability to chew all types of foods, 3) decreased ability to swallow solid foods, 4) decreased ability to swallow liquids, 5) overall poor swallowing function, 6) impaired tongue movement, 7) speech or phonatory disorders, and 8) hyposalivation or xerostomia. ConclusionThis e-Delphi study provided eight components that make up the operational definition of oral frailty. These components are the foundation for the next stage, which involves developing an oral frailty assessment tool.

Sarcopenia in patients following stroke: Prevalence and associated factors

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia in patients following stroke during acute hospitalisation. MethodsThis single-centre prospective observational cohort study assessed skeletal muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance analysis and muscle strength of patients with acute stroke at hospital discharge. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the AWGS-2019 criteria. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors of post stroke sarcopenia. ResultsA total of 286 participants (32% female; median age, 72 years) were included in this study. The prevalence of post-stroke sarcopenia was 32.5% (n = 93). In multiple logistic regression analysis, age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.05), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (aOR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04–1.27), body mass index (BMI) (aOR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.64–0.84) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (aOR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.51–0.89) were independently associated with post-stroke sarcopenia during acute hospitalisation. ConclusionApproximately one-third of acute stroke patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia at hospital discharge, and older age, severe stroke, low BMI, and poor swallowing function are associated with sarcopenia following stroke during acute hospitalisation.

Relationship between Oral Function and Support/Care-Need Certification in Japanese Older People Aged ≥ 75 Years: A Three-Year Cohort Study.

The aim was to examine the relationships between oral functions and support/care-need certification in older people aged ≥ 75 years using the National Health Insurance (NHI) database system and data from Kani City, Gifu, Japan. In total, 732 older Japanese people aged ≥ 75 years who did not have support/care-need certification and underwent dental check-ups in Kani City in 2017 were followed up until 2020. Chewing state, tongue and lip function, and swallowing function were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire, an oral diadochokinesis test, and a repetitive saliva-swallowing test, respectively. The presence or absence of systemic diseases and of support/care-need certification was based on data collected by the NHI database. At follow up, 121 (17%) participants had support/care-need certification. The participants with support/care-need certification included more women (p < 0.001) and older people (p < 0.001); and had more hypertension (p = 0.003), musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.001), pneumonia (p = 0.044), poor chewing state (p < 0.001), and poor swallowing function (p = 0.003) than those without support/care-need certification. Furthermore, the presence of support/care-need certification at follow up was associated with sex (woman: odds ratio [OR], 2.120; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.354 to 3.317), age (OR, 1.203; CI, 1.139 to 1.270), chewing state (poor: OR, 2.534; CI, 1.409 to 4.557), and swallowing function (poor: OR, 2.372; CI, 1.248 to 4.510) at baseline. However, tongue and lip function were not associated with support/care-need certification. The results indicate that older Japanese people aged ≥ 75 years with a poor chewing state and poor swallowing function at baseline had a higher risk for support/care-need certification after three years.

Utility of Dual Monitoring of the Lower Cranial Nerve Motor-Evoked Potentials Threshold Level Criterion to Predict Swallowing Function in Skull Base and Brainstem Surgery.

Evaluate the value of bilateral final/baseline threshold level changes of lower cranial nerve MEPs in postoperative swallowing function deterioration prediction. Bilateral lower cranial nerve motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded in 51 patients who underwent treatment for skull base and brainstem tumors. Corkscrew-like electrodes were positione 2 cm below C3/C4 and Cz. The MEPs were recorded from different muscle groups, including the posterior pharyngeal wall muscle, tongue muscle, genioglossus muscle, and cricothyroid muscle through paired needle electrodes. Swallowing function was assessed clinically using the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability score before and after the procedure at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months. Bilateral final/baseline threshold level increases in lower cranial nerve MEPs under the dual monitoring were significantly correlated with postoperative swallowing function deterioration ( r = 0.660 at 7 days, r = 0.735 at 1 month, and r = 0.717 at 3 months; p < 0.05). Bilateral final/baseline threshold level changes of more than 20% were recorded in 23 of the 51 patients, with 21 patients experiencing swallowing function deterioration postoperatively. The other 28 patients had bilateral threshold level changes of less than 20%, with 26 patients maintaining or improving their swallowing function, and 12 of those patients presented transient deterioration of swallowing function in the early postoperative period. Dual monitoring of lower cranial nerves and their different muscle groups MEPs was a safe and effective way to predict postoperative swallowing function. An increase in bilateral final/baseline threshold level change of more than 20% was predictive of permanent swallowing deterioration, especially in patients with poor swallowing function preoperatively.

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia and Impaired Motility of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract-Is There a Clinical Link in Neurocritical Care?

Patients in the neurological ICU are at risk of suffering from disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) can be caused by the underlying neurological disease and/or ICU treatment itself. The latter was also identified as a risk factor for gastrointestinal dysmotility. However, its association with OD and the impact of the neurological condition is unclear. Here, we investigated a possible link between OD and gastric residual volume (GRV) in patients in the neurological ICU. In this retrospective single-center study, patients with an episode of mechanical ventilation (MV) admitted to the neurological ICU due to an acute neurological disease or acute deterioration of a chronic neurological condition from 2011–2017 were included. The patients were submitted to an endoscopic swallowing evaluation within 72 h of the completion of MV. Their GRV was assessed daily. Patients with ≥1 d of GRV ≥500 mL were compared to all the other patients. Regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of GRV ≥500 mL/d. With respect to GRV, the groups were compared depending on their FEES scores (0–3). A total of 976 patients were included in this study. A total of 35% demonstrated a GRV of ≥500 mL/d at least once. The significant predictors of relevant GRV were age, male gender, infratentorial or hemorrhagic stroke, prolonged MV and poor swallowing function. The patients with the poorest swallowing function presented a GRV of ≥500 mL/d significantly more often than the patients who scored the best. Conclusions: Our findings indicate an association between dysphagia severity and delayed gastric emptying in critically ill neurologic patients. This may partly be due to lesions in the swallowing and gastric network.

Tracheoesophageal diversion improves oral uptake of food: a retrospective study.

Tracheoesophageal diversion (TED) is an effective therapeutic procedure for intractable aspiration. In this study, we performed TED in cases of intractable aspiration and/or repetitive pneumonia, investigated the main route of nutritional uptake after the procedure, and evaluated the swallowing method using videofluoroscopy. We also evaluated the validity of TED for treating intractable aspiration. We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients (30 male and 14 female patients; median age, 55years; range 15-85years) who underwent TED for the treatment of intractable aspiration between January 2008 and December 2017. We examined the route of nutritional uptake before and after the operation and performed videofluoroscopy to detect the swallowing method after the operation. The percentage of patients with oral intake increased from 21% (9/44) before TED to 56% (25/44) within 1month after TED (p < 0.01); this percentage included patients with poor preoperative swallowing function. Overall, 60% patients who were able to communicate and mobilize using a wheelchair as well as 92% patients who were able to communicate and mobilize in the supine position were able to consume food orally. We subsequently performed videofluoroscopy in 24 of the 25 patients with oral intake and assessed the passage route of the contrast agent, which was found to move through the laryngeal route in 54% of these patients. TED may be suitable for the treatment of intractable aspiration and can improve oral intake, particularly in patients with good mobility and communication ability.

How to select candidates for microvascular head and neck reconstruction in the elderly? Predictive factors of postoperative outcomes

IntroductionThe proportion of elderly patients with head and neck cancer is increasing. However, predictive factors of postoperative outcomes are insufficiently explored in this population. In this study, we aimed to determine predictive factors of postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing head and neck free-flap reconstructive surgery in order to determine criteria on which patient selection could be based. MethodsAll patients aged 65 years or over who underwent head and neck free-flap reconstructive surgery at our institution, between 2000 and 2016, were included in this retrospective study. Predictive factors of postoperative outcomes were investigated in uni- and multivariate analysis. ResultsTwo-hundred patients were included in the study. Older age (>70, >75 or > 80 yrs) had no significant impact on postoperative outcomes. Free flap failure local and general complications rates were 11%, 34% and 43%, respectively. Oromandibular reconstruction (p = 0.04) was significantly associated with free flap failure and salvage surgery (p = 0.04) with local complications. A high comorbidity level (Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥ 4; p = 0.02) was associated with a higher risk of general complications. A G8 (Geriatric 8 questionnaire) score < 15 (p = 0.004), a high comorbidity level (Kaplan-Feinstein Index score ≥ 2; p = 0.04) and oromandibular reconstruction (p = 0.04) were associated with poor swallowing function at 6 months. ConclusionHead and neck free flap reconstruction should be offered to fit (G8 score ≥ 15) elderly patients without severe comorbidities (KFI < 2 or CCI < 4), particularly when oral/pharyngeal soft-tissue reconstruction is planned.

Association between swallowing function and oral bacterial flora in independent community-dwelling elderly

Increasing incidences of swallowing dysfunction, or dysphagia, a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia, are being reported in aging populations. To investigate the relationship between swallowing function and oral bacteria in independent, community-dwelling elderly. This study recruited 139 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 70years with poor swallowing function. The presence of anaerobic (Prevotella spp. and Fusobacterium spp.) and aerobic bacteria was examined in the participants' oral cavity flora. Swallowing function was evaluated using a 30mL water swallowing test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between oral bacteria and swallowing function. Swallowing function was assessed as abnormal in 2.9% and as abnormal in 47.5% of the subjects. The colony-forming units (CFUs/ml) of Prevotella spp. were associated with the swallowing dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49-8.11). Further, CFUs/ml of Fusobacterium spp. and aerobes did not correlate with the swallowing dysfunction but were related with the number of teeth (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.28-5.74, and OR 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18-0.91, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing dysfunction in community-dwelling elderly is associated with increased abundance of Prevotella spp., which indirectly may be an increased risk factor for aspiration pneumonia.

Association between trismus and dysphagia-related quality of life in survivors of head and neck cancer in Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between trismus and other radiation-associated conditions with dysphagia-related quality of life in patients who have undergone radiotherapy of the head and neck. This cross-sectional study included 88 patients who had squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx and had been treated with 3-dimensional (3-D) conformal radiotherapy, which had been completed at least 3 months earlier. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. Trismus, hyposalivation, and radiation caries were evaluated clinically. Dysphagia-related quality of life (DRQoL) was investigated by using the M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Binary logistic regression was performed to determine associations between DRQoL and both demographic and clinical variables. The mean total MDADI score was 67.33 ± 15.47, and the physical domain was the most affected (60.28 ± 19.00). Patients with cancer of the mouth and oropharynx had worse scores (P = .001). Trismus was associated with poorer DRQoL in all domains of the MDADI (P = .001) and with a greater chance of moderate to profound swallowing limitation (P = .024). Trismus and tumors located in the mouth and oropharynx were associated with poor swallowing function, exerting a negative impact on DRQoL.

The Prevalence and Prognosis of Sarcopenic Dysphagia in Patients Who Require Dysphagia Rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and prognosis of sarcopenic dysphagia in patients who require dysphagia rehabilitation. Prospective cohort study. Tertiary-care acute general hospital. One hundred and eight patients referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine for dysphagia rehabilitation. The Food Intake Level Scale (FILS), a 5-step diagnostic algorithm for sarcopenic dysphagia. The study included 72 males and 36 females (mean age, 76±7 years). Comorbid diseases included brain and nervous system disease (36%), cardiovascular disease (25%), respiratory disease (14%), and cancer (11%). Median energy intake was 1159 kcal (interquartile range: 648, 1502). Median FILS at admission and discharge was 4 (interquartile range: 2, 7) and 8 (interquartile range: 5, 8), respectively. Sarcopenic dysphagia was observed in 35 patients (32%). Sarcopenic dysphagia was associated with lower FILS at referral and discharge, lower calf circumference, lower handgrip strength, lower body mass index, lower serum albumin, and higher C-reactive protein at referral. Tongue pressure, energy intake, and Barthel index did not differ significantly between patients with or without sarcopenic dysphagia. Ordered logistic regression analysis of the FILS at discharge adjusted for presence of sarcopenic dysphagia, age, sex, and the FILS at admission revealed that presence of sarcopenic dysphagia (β=-1.603, 95% confidence intervals= -2.609, -0.597, p=0.002), sex, and the FILS at admission were independently associated with the FILS at discharge. The prevalence of sarcopenic dysphagia in patients who require dysphagia rehabilitation was quite high. Sarcopenic dysphagia was independently associated with poor swallowing function at discharge.

Swallowing Outcomes in Elderly Patients following Microvascular Reconstruction of the Head and Neck.

Objective To describe swallowing outcomes in elderly patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract and identify risk factors for poor postoperative swallowing function. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods Sixty-six patients aged ≥70 years underwent microvascular reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract. The primary outcome measure was the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS); preoperative and postoperative scores were dichotomized to define "good swallowing" and "poor swallowing." Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for poor postoperative swallowing function. Results In total, 91% of reconstructions were performed for oncologic defects. The most common defect site was the oral cavity (67%), and the anterolateral thigh (29%) was the most frequently used donor site. At 3-year follow up, 75% of patients had good swallowing function with 95% of patients who achieved good swallowing function doing so within 6 months of surgery. On multivariable analysis, patients with pT4 tumors (odds ratio [OR], 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-25.6) and those undergoing at least partial glossectomy (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.1-20.7) were more likely to experience poor swallowing function at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion Approximately half of elderly patients achieve good swallowing function within 6 months following microvascular reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract. Elderly patients with pT4 tumors and those requiring glossectomy are at highest risk for poor swallowing outcomes. These data can be used to inform preoperative patient counseling and design interventions aimed at improving swallowing function in those at high risk for poor outcomes.

Risk Factors and Functional Impact of Medical Complications in Stroke.

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence and risk factors for medical complications in Korean patients suffering from stroke and the impact of such complications on post-stroke functional outcomes.MethodsWe assessed patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study. All recruited patients had suffered a first acute stroke episode and been admitted to nine university hospitals in Korea between August 2012 and June 2015. We analyzed patient and stroke characteristics, comorbidities, prevalence of post-stroke medical complications, and functional outcomes at time of discharge and 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke onset.ResultsOf 10,625 patients with acute stroke, 2,210 (20.8%) presented with medical complications including bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, sleep disturbance, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection. In particular, complications occurred more frequently in older patients and in patients with hemorrhagic strokes, more co-morbidities, severe initial motor impairment, or poor swallowing function. In-hospital medical complications were significantly correlated with poor functional outcomes at all time points.ConclusionPost-stroke medical complications affect functional recovery. The majority of complications are preventable and treatable; therefore, the functional outcomes of patients with stroke can be improved by providing timely, appropriate care. Special care should be provided to elderly patients with comorbid risk factors.

Long-Term, Prospective Performance of the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory in “Low-Intermediate Risk” Oropharyngeal Carcinoma After Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

To characterize long-term MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) results after primary intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) among patients with "low-intermediate risk" OPC who would be eligible for current trials (eg, ECOG 3311, NRG HN002, CRUK PATHOS). A retrospective pooled analysis combined data from 3 single-institution clinical trials for advanced-stage head and neck carcinoma. Inclusion criteria were clinical stage III/IV OPC (T1-2/N1-2b, T3/N0-2b) treated with definitive split-field IMRT and prospectively collected MDADI at baseline and at least 1 posttreatment interval available in trial databases. Patients were sampled to represent likely human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated disease (HPV+/p16+ or <10 pack-years if HPV/p16 unknown). The MDADI composite scores were collected at baseline and 6, 12, and 24months after treatment. Pairwise tests were Bonferroni corrected for multiple comparisons. Forty-six patients were included. All received bilateral neck irradiation with a median dose of 70Gy and systemic therapy (57% concurrent, 43% induction only). Overall the mean baseline MDADI composite score was 90.1, dropping to 74.6 at 6months (P<.0001) and rising to 78.5 (P<.0001) and 83.1 (P=.002) by 12 and 24months relative to baseline, respectively, representing a clinically meaningful drop in MDADI scores at 6months that partially recovers by 24months (6 vs 24months, P=.05). Poor MDADI scores (composite <60) were reported in 4%, 11%, 15%, and 9% of patients at baseline and 6, 12, and 24months, respectively. Fifteen percent of patients had a persistently depressed composite score by at least 20 points at the 24-month interval. "Low-intermediate risk" patients with OPC treated with laryngeal/esophageal inlet dose-optimized split-field IMRT are highly likely to report recovery of acceptable swallowing function in long-term follow-up. Only 15% report poor swallowing function and/or persistently depressed MDADI at 12months or more after IMRT. These data serve as a benchmark future trial design and endpoint interpretation.

Relationship between skeletal muscle mass and swallowing function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The present study verified the hypothesis that decreased skeletal muscle in older adults with Alzheimer's disease is related to Alzheimer's disease progression and decreased oral or swallowing function. We investigated 232 patients with Alzheimer's disease (31 men, 201 women, average age 85.4 ± 5.9 years) in two regions in Japan. The patients provided basic information (sex and age), and were assessed for skeletal muscle index, dementia severity (clinical dementia rating), activities of daily living, nutritional status, oral status and swallowing function. Stratification by clinical dementia rating was as follows: clinical dementia rating 0.5:21 patients (9.0%), clinical dementia rating 1:85 patients (36.6%), clinical dementia rating 2:88 patients (37.9%) and clinical dementia rating 3:38 patients (16.3%). Alzheimer's disease severity was significantly related to skeletal muscle index. Logistic regression analysis showed that clinical dementia rating 3 (odds ratio 11.68, 95% confidence interval 4.52-30.20), body mass index < 18.5 (odds ratio 3.18, 95% confidence interval 1.27-8.00), calf circumference <30.5 cm (odds ratio 9.33, 95% confidence interval 2.01-43.27) and poor swallowing function (odds ratio 4.93, 95% confidence interval 1.10-22.04) had a significant effect on decreased skeletal muscle index. Therefore, decreased skeletal muscle mass in patients with Alzheimer's disease requires strategies to manage swallowing dysfunction. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 17: 402-409.

Relationship between swallowing function and the skeletal muscle mass of older adults requiring long-term care.

The present study investigated the risk factors for dysphagia among older adults who require long-term care, and also examined their systemic decrease in skeletal muscle mass. We evaluated 399 people who required long-term care and who were residing in Omori town, Yokote city, Akita prefecture, Japan. We then analyzed data from 255 participants who had complete information available regarding their sex, age, case history (stroke, Parkinson's disease and dementia), Barthel Index, Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, oral function test and modified water swallowing test results. Participants' water swallowing test results were used to create groups with good or poor swallowing function, and a univariate analysis was carried out for each parameter. Parameters with a P-value of <0.25 in the univariate analysis were subsequently included in a multiple logistic regression model as explanatory variables, and good or poor swallowing function were defined as the dependent variables. After adjusting for age and sex, our analysis showed that poor tongue motility (odds ratio 17.23, 95% confidence interval 5.90-50.31, P < 0.001) and decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.41-7.99, P = 0.006) were significantly correlated with decreased swallowing function. Decreased swallowing function was closely correlated with poor tongue motility, and this finding is similar to those of previous studies. However, the present results also show that decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass Index is a novel risk factor for dysphagia among older adults who require long-term care.