Laura Davison Mangilli

Clinical prognostic indicators of dysphagia following prolonged orotracheal intubation in ICU patients

IntroductionThe development of postextubation swallowing dysfunction is well documented in the literature with high prevalence in most studies. However, there are relatively few studies with specific outcomes that focus on the follow-up of these patients until hospital discharge. The purpose of our study was to determine prognostic indicators of dysphagia in ICU patients submitted to prolonged orotracheal intubation (OTI).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study from 2010 to 2012 of all patients over 18 years of age admitted to a university hospital ICU who were submitted to prolonged OTI and subsequently received a bedside swallow evaluation (BSE) by a speech pathologist. The prognostic factors analyzed included dysphagia severity rate at the initial swallowing assessment and at hospital discharge, age, time to initiate oral feeding, amount of individual treatment, number of orotracheal intubations, intubation time and length of hospital stay.ResultsAfter we excluded patients with neurologic diseases, tracheostomy, esophageal dysphagia and those who were submitted to surgical procedures involving the head and neck, our study sample size was 148 patients. The logistic regression model was used to examine the relationships between independent variables. In the univariate analyses, we found that statistically significant prognostic indicators of dysphagia included dysphagia severity rate at the initial swallowing assessment, time to initiate oral feeding and amount of individual treatment. In the multivariate analysis, we found that dysphagia severity rate at the initial swallowing assessment remained associated with good treatment outcomes.ConclusionsStudies of prognostic indicators in different populations with dysphagia can contribute to the design of more effective procedures when evaluating, treating, and monitoring individuals with this type of disorder. Additionally, this study stresses the importance of the initial assessment ratings.

Oral Motor Movements and Swallowing in Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal motility disorders were found to be the most important causes of aspiration pneumonia in patients with myotonic dystrophy. The purpose of this report was to evaluate clinical characteristics of the oral motor movements and swallowing of individuals with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) using a standardized clinical protocol and surface electromyography (sEMG). Participants were 40 individuals divided in two groups: G1 composed of 20 adults with DM1 and G2 composed of 20 healthy volunteers paired by age and gender to the individuals in G1. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA with two factors for within- and between-group comparisons and Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Patients with DM1 presented deficits in posture, position, and mobility of the oral motor structures, as well as compromised mastication and deglutition. The sEMG data indicated that these patients had longer muscle activations during swallowing events. The longer duration of sEMG in the group of patients with DM1 is possibly related to myotonia and/or incoordination of the muscles involved in the swallowing process or could reflect a physiological adaptation for safe swallowing.

Clinical dysphagia risk predictors after prolonged orotracheal intubation

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate independent risk factors for dysphagia after prolonged orotracheal intubation. METHODS: The participants were 148 consecutive patients who underwent clinical bedside swallowing assessments from September 2009 to September 2011. All patients had received prolonged orotracheal intubations and were admitted to one of several intensive care units of a large Brazilian school hospital. The correlations between the conducted water swallow test results and dysphagia risk levels were analyzed for statistical significance. RESULTS: Of the 148 patients included in the study, 91 were male and 57 were female (mean age, 53.64 years). The univariate analysis results indicated that specific variables, including extraoral loss, multiple swallows, cervical auscultation, vocal quality, cough, choking, and other signs, were possible significant high-risk indicators of dysphagia onset. The multivariate analysis results indicated that cervical auscultation and coughing were independent predictive variables for high dysphagia risk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients displaying extraoral loss, multiple swallows, cervical auscultation, vocal quality, cough, choking and other signs should benefit from early swallowing evaluations. Additionally, early post-extubation dysfunction recognition is paramount in reducing the morbidity rate in this high-risk population.

Avaliação eletromiográfica e ultrassonográfica do músculo masseter em indivíduos normais: estudo piloto

Abstract Background: recent studies have used ultrasonography with the purpose of measuring muscle cuts. Aim: tocharacterize the motor control and the morphology of the masseter muscle in normal individuals,verifying the compatibility between surface electromyography and ultrasonography. Method: five adultindividuals, with no alterations of the stomatognathic system. The adopted assessment procedures for allparticipants were: 1. Surface Electromyography; 2. Ultrasonography. Results: a high correlation wasobserved only when comparing both hemifaces in the ultrasonographic assessment (rest 0.95; biting0.86). Conclusion: the results indicate that there is no correlation between the tested methods, suggestingthat both methods are complementary and not mutually excludent. Key Words: Masseter Muscle; Electromyography; Ultrasonics. Resumo Tema: estudos recentes utilizaram a ultrassonografia com o objetivo de medir cortes musculares. Objetivo:caracterizar o controle motor e a morfologia do musculo masseter em individuos normais, verificando acompatibilidade entre a eletromiografia de superficie e a ultrassonografia. Metodo: cinco individuosadultos, sem alteracoes no sistema estomatognatico. Os procedimentos adotados para a avaliacao dosparticipantes foram: 1. Eletromiografia de Superficie; 2. Ultrassonografia. Resultados: houve alta correlacaoapenas para a comparacao entre hemifaces direita e esquerda no exame de ultrassonografia (repouso 0,95;maxima intercuspidacao dentaria 0,86). Conclusao: os resultados indicam nao haver correlacao entre osmetodos testados, sugerindo que os exames sao complementares e nao excludentes.

Caracterização eletromiográfica e ultrassonográfica da função mastigatória em indivíduos com oclusão normal

PURPOSE: To characterize the motor control of the masseter and temporal muscles and the morphology of the masseter muscles during mastication in individuals with normal occlusion and to verify the consistency between surface electromyography (sEMG) and ultrasound (USD). METHODS: Participants were 22 adults, of both genders, with no alterations of the oral myofuntional system. The procedures performed included sEMG of the masseter (MM) and temporal (TM) muscles and USD of the MM, each during three tasks: resting condition and maximum voluntary dental clench with and without cotton rolls. RESULTS: The following statistical tests were used: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, paired t-test and Spearman correlation (significance level of 5%). The sEMG data indicated a significant difference between the MM and TM during the maximum voluntary clench with and without cotton rolls, and the TM was more active than the TM in both clenching tasks. No significant difference was observed between the sides of the face when assessed with sEMG or USD. A significant positive correlation between the exams was observed for the left maximum voluntary dental clench with and without cotton rolls, and a trend toward significance was found for the right maximum dental clench without cotton rolls. CONCLUSION: The comparison of sEMG to USD for the investigation of muscle function reveals important information about the physiology of skeletal muscles. The results of the present study suggest a correlation between sEMG and USD, i.e., between increased electrical activity and the corresponding increase in muscle thickness.

Oral sensorimotor function for feeding in patients with tetanus

Tetanus still remains a significant health problem in developing countries; it is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to characterize the oral sensorimotor function for feeding in patients with tetanus. Thirteen patients clinically diagnosed with tetanus and admitted to an intensive care unit between December of 2005 and May of 2007 underwent a screening tool for dysphagia, involving the assessment of clinical features and 2 swallowing tests. Results indicate that the oral sensorimotor function for feeding in these patients is severely compromised, with the exception for the clinical feature of palate elevation and performance in the saliva swallowing test. The factor analysis indicated that the evaluation of tongue movement change in the oromotor examination is important in predicting alterations of cough/voice in the water swallowing test, thus suggesting that oral feeding might be unsafe. When looking at developing countries, the prolonged intensive medical and nursing care required by many patients with tetanus places extra demands on an already stretched healthcare budget. Intervention by a speech pathologist could mean that time in the ICU would be reduced as well as the number of re-admissions due to complications.

Mandibular range of motion in patients with idiopathic peripheral facial palsy

UNLABELLED Regarding orofacial motor assessment in facial paralysis, quantitative measurements of the face are being used to establish diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning. AIM To assess the prevalence of changes in mandibular range of motion in individuals with peripheral facial paralysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective study. We had 56 volunteers, divided in two groups: G1 made up of 28 individuals with idiopathic facial paralysis (6 males and 22 females); 14 with manifestations on the right side of the face and 14 on the left side; time of onset varied between 6-12 months; G2 with 28 healthy individuals paired by age and gender to G1. In order to assess mandibular range of motion, a digital caliper was used. The following measurements were made: 1) middle line; 2) maximum oral opening; 3) lateralization to the right; 4) lateralization to the left; 5) protrusion; 6) horizontal overlap. RESULTS Statistically significant differences between the groups were observed for maximum oral opening, lateralization to the left and protrusion. G1 presented smaller measurement values than G2. CONCLUSION Patients with facial paralysis present significant reduction of mandibular range of motion. The results support the suggestion of incorporating functional evaluation of the temporomandibular joint to the existing facial paralysis clinical assessment protocols.

Botulismo e disfagia

Background: botulism is a severe neuroparalytic, of an acute characteristic, afebrile and is caused by the action of a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. This toxin links itself to the receptors of the axon membrane of the motor neurons, preventing the release of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction, causing flaccid paralysis of the cranial nerves and skeleton musculature. Aim: to present the speech therapy procedures adopted with a patient with botulism and who was presenting dysphagia. Method: a male adult, with botulism, sent for a speech-language evaluation due to the presence of difficulties when swallowing saliva. During the evaluation the following was observed: alteration in mobility, tonicity and sensibility of the organs of the Orofacial Myofunctional System (OMSs); reduction of the laryngeal movements; stasis of saliva in the oral cavity; absence of the swallowing reflex; absence of the swallowing function. Nine speech therapy sessions were carried out with the following procedures: stimulation of the OMSs - mobility, tonicity and sensibility; stimulation of the oral and pharyngeal reflexes; tests and trainings for swallowing with different food consistencies and with the help of maneuvers aiming at the protection and clearing of the airways. Results: improvement in mobility, tonicity and sensibility of the OMSs; improvement in the elevation of the larynx; reestablishment of the swallowing function without the assistance of other professionals or clinical maneuvers; vocal quality close to the normal parameters (light hypernasality and pneumophonoarticulatory incoordination). The patient was discharged from hospital and speech therapy; clinical assistance for adjustment and improvement of the OMSs was suggested. Conclusion: speech therapy demonstrated to be efficient in the re-establishment of OMSs and of the swallowing function, enabling the patient to restore the adequate functionality of his orofacial myofunctional

Swallowing transit times and valleculae residue in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundBreathing and swallowing are physiologically linked to ensure effortless gas exchange during oronasal breathing and to prevent aspiration during swallowing. Studies have indicated consistent aspiration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mainly related to delayed swallowing reflex and problems with lingual propulsion and pharyngeal peristalsis as a result of bilateral weakness and incoordination of the related muscles. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate swallowing transit times and valleculae residue characteristics of stable COPD patients who have no swallowing complaints.MethodsOur study population included 20 stable patients with COPD and no swallowing complaints and 20 healthy controls. Swallowing was assessed through videofluoroscopic examination and involved the analysis of the following parameters: (1) pharyngeal stages of deglutition; (2) the duration of bolus movement through the oral cavity and pharynx (i.e. transit times); (3) valleculae residue ratio; (4) penetration/aspiration.ResultsParticipants of the study did not present any signs of penetration-aspiration for any of the tested consistencies. Patients with COPD presented longer pharyngeal transit times during the ingestion of the liquid consistency and during the ingestion of the paste consistency. Regarding the duration of tongue base contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall, COPD patients also presented longer durations for the liquid and paste consistencies. No significant difference was observed for the distribution of individuals among the different valleculae residue severity levels.ConclusionsOur study suggests that stable COPD patients may present physiological adaptations as a protective swallowing maneuver to avoid aspiration/penetration of pharyngeal contents. Moreover, valleculae residue cannot be seen as an isolated factor when trying to explain swallowing alterations in this population.

Swallowing sounds in speech therapy practice: a critical analysis of the literature

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate international scientific papers published on the subject of cervical auscultation and its use in speech therapy. The study involved a qualitative review of the literature spanning the last 10 years. Articles were selected from the PubMed database using the following keywords: cervical auscultation, swallowing and swallowing disorders. Research was included that was conducted on adult humans (over 18 years of age) and was written in English. Each citation retrieved from the database was analyzed independently by each of the study researchers to ascertain its relevance for inclusion in the study. The methodology involved formulating the research question, locating and selecting studies and critically evaluating the articles according to the precepts of the Cochrane Handbook. As a result, 35 studies were identified; 13 articles were analyzed because they allowed access to the full text and were related directly to the subject. We found that the studies were performed with groups of healthy subjects and subjects with different types of base pathology. Some studies compared the patterns found in the different groups. Some of the research sought to study the pattern of swallowing sounds with different factors - evaluator experience, the specificity and sensitivity of the method and how to improve the technique of cervical auscultation through the use of instruments other than the stethoscope. The conclusion of this critical analysis is that cervical auscultation is an important tool to be used in conjunction with other assessment methods in the routine clinical evaluation of swallowing.