Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Patients Affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe our experience in the observation of oropharyngeal dysphagia with endoscopic evaluations in patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients suffering from ALS managed with serial functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Patients were divided into a no-aspiration group and an aspiration group based on Penetration Aspiration Scale scores obtained during endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Setting: Tertiary Referral Center for Rehabilitation. Dysphagia was classified according to American Speech Language Hearing Association- National Outcome Measurement System levels. Results: A total of 32 patients were examined, and different progression patterns of dysphagia were observed. Clinical evidence: A nonlinear evolution of dysphagia, with a plateau phase in patients with bulbar-onset type ALS, was observed.