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Related Experiment Videos

Dysphagia and nutritional status in multiple sclerosis.

F J Thomas1, C M Wiles

  • 1Department of Medicine (Neurology), Neurology C4, University of Wales, College of Medicine, Cardiff CF4 4XN, United Kingdom.

Journal of Neurology
|August 25, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, often unnoticed. These issues link to neurological function, disability, and mood, but not necessarily poor nutrition or sores.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Swallowing Disorders

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting millions globally.
  • Dysphagia and bulbar signs are known complications of MS, impacting quality of life.
  • Nutritional status and pressure sore risk are critical in managing long-term neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of dysphagia and related symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  • To assess bulbar signs and nutritional status in MS patients.
  • To correlate swallowing abnormalities with disability, neurological signs, and nutritional indices.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of 79 consecutive MS admissions and 181 healthy controls.
  • Quantitative water test for dysphagia definition.

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  • Semi-quantitative measurement of swallowing symptoms and bulbar signs.
  • Assessment of disability (EDSS, Barthel index) and nutritional status (BMI, body fat, Waterlow score).

    • Main Results:

    • 43% of MS patients exhibited abnormal swallowing, often asymptomatic.
    • Swallowing symptoms like coughing were more frequent in MS patients than controls (P < 0.005).
    • Abnormal swallowing correlated with brainstem/cerebellar function, disability, vital capacity, and depression, but not nutritional indices or pressure sores.

    Conclusions:

    • Asymptomatic dysphagia is prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS).
    • Swallowing dysfunction in MS is linked to neurological impairment, disability, and mood.
    • While associated with higher pressure sore risk scores, dysphagia did not directly correlate with nutritional failure or pressure sore incidence in this cohort.