Evaluation of Dysphagia and Associated Factors in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorders: Do the Oral Factors Deserve Some Focus too?

Abstract

Aim: Dysphagia may occur during neuromuscular disorders. As it may cause serious morbidity and mortality, it is important to define the characteristics and burden of this problem among these individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the dysphagia status and associated factors in patients with neuromuscular disorders in a tertiary care center. Material and Method: Two-hundred fifty-two patients in the three groups were included in this study (59 Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD-BMD), 130 other muscular diseases, and 63 neuropathies). The patients were carefully assessed clinically, and their dysphagia status was evaluated using the EAT-10 questionnaire. Dysphagia prevalence was defined for each diagnosis, and patients in each group were compared in terms of their clinical characteristics, depending on the presence of dysphagia. Results: The prevalence of dysphagia was 17%, 18.4%, and 47.6% in the DMD-BMD, other muscular diseases, and neuropathy groups, respectively. Moreover, dysphagia was associated with worse ambulatory status, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, dental implants, and pneumonia (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dysphagia is an important problem in neuromuscular diseases and requires inquiry and assessment by caregivers and clinicians. Studies focusing on more detailed evaluations, especially for oral health status, and the effectiveness of possible treatment methods will improve this problem.