Onset locations of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing: meta-analysis

Literature review on the onset locations of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in asymptomatic and symptomatic adults and elderly people.

Research was conducted in the PubMed, BIREME and SciELO databases through the descriptors fluoroscopy (fluoroscopia), deglutition (deglutição) and pharynx (faringe).

Studies published between 2005 and 2015, carried out with adults and elderly people who underwent swallowing videofluoroscopy (SVF), and citing the onset location of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed, evaluating the heterogeneity and the measures grouped with random effects through I2 statistics. For ratio calculation in the meta-analysis, the locations described in the articles were classified according to the Modified Barium Swallowing protocol - Measurement Tool for Swallowing Impairment (MBSImp).

Twelve articles were selected for descriptive analysis and seven for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was found between studies, especially due to clinical and methodological differences. The random effect indicated predominance (58%) of the onset of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing at levels 0 and 1 of the MBSImP. In asymptomatic individuals, the onset of the pharyngeal phase was observed in the oral cavity, base of the tongue, dorsum of the tongue and vallecula. In symptomatic individuals, onset was mainly observed in the oropharynx, vallecula, hypopharynx and pyriform sinus.

We noted a greater frequency of the onset of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in the vallecula. The onset of the pharyngeal phase in the hypopharynx and pyriform sinus was more often observed among elderly individuals or with comorbidities that could alter swallowing.