Objective: Penetration-aspiration is considered the most severe sign of dysphagia, with aspiration pneumonia as one of its consequences. More than half of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients suffer from dysphagia, and aspiration pneumonia is among the primary causes of mortality in PD patients. However, the identification of predictors of penetration-aspiration in PD patients remains an understudied topic. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of penetration-aspiration in patients with PD.
Methods: The data of 89 PD patients with dysphagia who underwent routinely conducted videofluoroscopic studies of swallowing (VFSS) were included in this retrospective study. The occurrence of penetration-aspiration was defined as scores ≥3 on the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). Four commonly reported signs of dysphagia in PD patients were evaluated as possible predictors. Furthermore, the relationships between the occurrence of penetration-aspiration and liquid bolus volume as well as clinical severity of PD (modified Hoehn and Yahr scale) were examined.
Results: Logistic regression showed that a delayed initiation of the pharyngeal swallow (odds ratio [OR] = 7.47, P = .008) and a reduced hyolaryngeal excursion (OR = 5.13, P = .012) were predictors of penetration-aspiration. Moreover, there was a strong, positive correlation between increasing liquid bolus volume and penetration-aspiration (γ = 0.71, P < .001). No correlation was found between severity of PD and penetration-aspiration (γ = 0.077, P = .783).
Conclusion: Results of the present study allow for a better understanding of penetration-aspiration risk in PD patients. They are useful for treatment planning in order to improve safe oral intake and adequate nutrition.
Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; aspiration pneumonia; dysphagia; penetration-aspiration risk; videofluoroscopy.