Larsson V, et al. – Study authors intended to assess swallowing dysfunction and carbonated liquid using videofluoroscopy in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) patients. Findings reported the presence of swallowing dysfunction in the majority of patients with DLB or PDD, sometimes without subjective swallowing symptoms. This swallowing dysfunction was found to be improved with carbonated liquid in patients with DLB or PDD.

Methods

• This study included a total of 48 patients with DLB and PDD who were referred for a clinical examination with videofluoroscopy.
• Descriptive overall assessments were provided at the time of the examination regarding swallowing function and the effects of different modifications, including carbonated thin liquid (CTL).
• Additionally, researchers performed a repeated measures quantitative retrospective analysis to compare thin liquids; thickened liquids and CTLs, with regard to the quantitative variables: pharyngeal transit time (PTT); pharyngeal retention and tracheal penetration.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that 40/48 (83%) of the patients had a swallowing dysfunction, which was confirmed on videofluoroscopy, with 34/40 (85%) patients having a pharyngeal-type dysfunction.
• Researchers observed that a total of 14/40 (35%) patients with an objective swallowing impairment did not have any subjective swallowing symptoms.
• They also noted that out of the patients with swallowing dysfunction, 87% had an overall improved swallowing function with carbonated liquid.
• Data revealed that PTT for carbonated liquid (median 633 ms, interquartile range [IQR] 516–786 ms) was quicker than for thin liquid (760 ms, IQR 613–940 ms, P=0.014) and thickened liquid (880.0 ms, IQR 600–1,500 ms, P<0.001).
• Results highlighted no significant effect in residue or penetration.