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Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Screening and evaluation tools of dysphagia in children with neuromuscular diseases: a systematic review
Nicolas Audag1, Christophe Goubau2, Michel Toussaint3
1Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Pôle de Pneumologie, ORL & Dermatologie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
Dysphagia is common in children with neuromuscular diseases. Current screening and evaluation tools lack validation, necessitating the development of a specific, reliable assessment for these pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Swallowing Disorders
- Clinical Assessment Tools
Background:
- Dysphagia is a frequent complication in pediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases (pNMD).
- Early detection and management of dysphagia are crucial for preventing complications and improving patient outcomes.
- A need exists for validated screening and evaluation tools tailored to pNMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the existing literature on dysphagia screening and evaluation tools specifically for pediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases (pNMD).
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searches were performed across three major databases: PubMed, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect.
- The measurement properties of identified tools and the quality of studies were assessed using the Downs and Black quality index.
Main Results:
- Four studies identified four tools (Sydney Swallow Questionnaire, surface electromyography, Neuromuscular Disease Swallowing Status Scale, videofluoroscopic swallow study) with potential for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- No data were found for other NMDs or children under 9 years old.
- The mean quality score for the included studies was 17.5, indicating moderate quality.
Conclusions:
- No single superior validated tool for dysphagia screening or evaluation in pNMD was identified.
- A widely accepted protocol for dysphagia assessment in pNMD is currently lacking.
- Further research is required to develop and validate a simple, effective assessment tool with optimal psychometric properties for pNMD.
Aim:
Dysphagia is frequent in paediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases (pNMD). Its detection is important for initiating early diagnosis and treatment as well as for minimizing related complications. The aim of this study was to review the literature on dysphagia screening and evaluation tools in pNMD.
Method:
A systematic review was performed on the basis of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect) were searched. Measurement properties of tools and the quality index developed by Downs and Black were considered.
Results:
Our search yielded four studies and four different tools for paediatric patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The Sydney Swallow Questionnaire, surface electromyography, Neuromuscular Disease Swallowing Status Scale, and videofluoroscopic swallow study showed interesting properties for DMD. No data were available for other NMD and children under 9 years. The mean total score for the quality index was 17.5.
Interpretation:
We did not identify any superior validated tools, either for screening or for evaluation of dysphagia, and no widely accepted protocol. Further studies are needed to identify the simplest assessment with the best psychometric properties for pNMD. We recommend establishing a specific tool for pNMD.
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