Dysphagia in spinocerebellar ataxia and multiple system atrophy-cerebellar. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vogel, Adam P.; Fendel, Lori; Paige Brubacher, K.; Chan, Victoria; Maule, Roxanne
• Is Part Of: Speech, language and hearing. Volume 18:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: 616.855005
• DOI: 10.1179/2050572814Y.0000000047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-571X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Dysphagia is a common sequelae of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and multiple system atrophy-cerebellar (MSA-C) resulting in significant nutritional, respiratory, and psychosocial impairment. Limited prognostic or descriptive data are available to inform clinical practice. In a retrospective observational study, we examined the frequency of dysphagic features among patients with MSA-C and SCA. Medical data from 24 patients consecutively admitted to a tertiary neurological care setting over an 18-month period from January 2011 to July 2013 were included. Dysphagia was present in 92% (12 of 13) of patients with SCA and 81% (9 of 11) patients with MSA-C. Overall, there was a high degree of clinical overlap across the two disorder groups; however, secretion management issues were more pronounced in patients with SCA. Age at diagnosis correlated significantly with the number of oral phase dysphagic features in patients with MSA-C, not SCA. One-third of patients presented with signs of penetration/aspiration. Based on the high incidence of dysphagia and the subsequent risk of aspiration resulting from these symptoms, systematic and objective measurement of swallowing appears a necessary component of standard clinical care.</p> </abstract>