Dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease: Analysis of screening questionnaire and videofluoroscopy findings

Abstract

Background: Dysphagia is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is often overlooked. Reliable screening methods for definitive radiological investigation need to be developed. Objectives: To analyze the objective videofluoroscopic study of swallowing (VFSS) findings in PD patients screened using a validated 11-item swallowing disturbance questionnaire (SDQ) and to check for a correlation between the questionnaire and VFSS scale scores, as well as the sensitivity of SDQ to detect abnormal VFSS findings. Material and Methods: PD patients attending a movement disorder clinic were screened using SDQ and underwent VFSS. The findings were recorded and objectively rated by experienced speech and language pathologists using standardized scales. Statistical analysis was performed to check for correlation. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled in the study. Their SDQ scores ranged from 2 to 16. Of the 11 questions, six were checked for correlation with VFSS findings. Bolus stuck in the mouth was reported by four patients; all displayed corresponding VFSS findings. Oral residue was reported by nine, of which seven showed VFSS findings. Multiple swallows were reported by eight, and VFSS findings were observed in seven of them. Overall, even at very low scores, abnormalities were observed in corresponding VFSS parameters. However, no statistical significance (P > 0.05) was found between the SDQ scores and VFSS parameters. Conclusion: VFSS analysis revealed abnormal oropharyngeal swallowing parameters, which corresponded with the SDQ scores, but without statistical significance. Therefore, our questionnaire is a useful tool to predict VFSS findings in PD patients.