Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
The relationship between pulmonary and swallowing functions in patients with neuromuscular diseases followed up by a
Max Sarmet1,2, Laura Davison Mangilli3, Geovanna Pereira Costa4
1Departments of Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy, Hospital de Apoio de Brasília, Tertiary Referral Center of Neuromuscular Diseases, Brasília, Brazil.
Introduction:
Respiratory muscle weakness is common in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD). This puts them at risk for dysphagia and other pulmonary complications.
Objectives:
To investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and swallowing in NMD.
Materials And Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, medical records of patients undergoing treatment at the Tertiary Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases of Hospital de Apoio de Brasília, Brazil, were reviewed. Respiratory function was assessed through spirometry (FVC and FEV1 measured) and swallowing assessed by the Dysphagia Risk Evaluation Protocol and the Functional Oral Intake Scale.
Results:
Two hundred and twenty-two patients were included. Dysphagia was present in 46.8% of patients and impairment of pulmonary function in 64.0%. The mean FVC observed was 66.9% and FEV1 was 66.0%, indicating restrictive lung disease. A correlation between the decline of pulmonary and swallowing functions was observed in patients with NMDs (FVC vs. DREP, R = 0.46; FVC vs. FOIS, R = 0.42; FEV1 vs. DREP, R = 0.42; FEV1 vs. FOIS, R = 0.40, p<.01). FVC and FEV1 values tend to be lower in patients with dysphagia in the context of NMD.
Conclusions:
A positive correlation between pulmonary function and swallowing outcomes was observed in patients with NMD. Despite respiratory and swallowing impairment being widely present in the population with NMD, they require different treatments according to the disease's pathophysiology. Future studies should be conducted to explore the disease-specific relationship between pulmonary function and swallowing in patients with NMD.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....

