Parkinson's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Parkinson's Disease, including details on symptoms, treatment, genetics, medication.

Simple clinical tests may predict severe oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's disease.

Lam K, Lam FK, Lau KK, Chan YK, Kan EY, Woo J, Wong FK, Ko A

Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong. lam_kuen@yahoo.com.hk

OBJECTIVE: To determine if simple screening tests can predict severe oropharyngeal dysphagia in subjects with Parkinson's disease. METHODOLOGY: Forty-five subjects (26 females) of average age 75 (range: 65-94) who were classified as Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 to 5 were enrolled. The presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia was assessed by a symptom questionnaire, 50 ml water swallowing test and videofluroscopic swallowing study. RESULTS: Six of the subjects had severe oropharyngeal dysphagia in videofluroscopic swallowing study. Subsequent multivariate analysis showed that 3 factors could independently predict severe oropharyngeal dysphagia. These included higher Modified Hoehn and Yahr stage (P = 0.042), low Body mass index (P = 0.014), and increased difficulty in keeping food or drink in the mouth (P = 0.047). The regression model had a positive predictive power of 96% (sensitivity: 83.3%, specificity: 97.4%). CONCLUSION: A combination of 3 simple clinical parameters may be useful for screening for severe oropharyngeal dysphagia as shown radiologically in subjects with Parkinson's disease.

Published 1 May 2007 in Mov Disord, 22(5): 640-4.
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