Swallow function and perception of dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2002 Jun;24(6):555-65
Date
07/12/2002Pubmed ID
12112553DOI
10.1002/hed.10092Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0036260235 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 138 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between subjective complaints of dysphagia and objective measures of swallow function in patients with cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx, treated with radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy has not been well documented in the literature.
METHODS: Swallowing function in 132 patients with various lesions was evaluated using videofluoroscopy and analyzed by patient complaint of dysphagia grouping.
RESULTS: Patients with complaints of dysphagia demonstrated significantly worse swallow function as indicated by lower oropharyngeal swallow efficiency (OPSE), longer transit times, larger residues, and more swallows with aspiration. Patients with complaints of dysphagia also tended to take less of their nutrition by mouth and less variety of food consistencies in their diet compared with those without complaint.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients were able to perceive decrements in their swallowing function as dysphagia and may have limited their oral intake in response to that perception. The ability to accurately perceive swallowing function may be useful for self-monitoring changes in dysphagia status during a course of swallow therapy.
Author List
Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Logemann JA, Lazarus CL, Newman L, Hamner A, MacCracken E, Gaziano J, Stachowiak LAuthor
Barbara R. Pauloski PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Deglutition
Deglutition Disorders
Female
Fluoroscopy
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Laryngeal Neoplasms
Male
Middle Aged
Mouth Neoplasms
Neoplasm Staging
Pharyngeal Neoplasms
