VIDEOFLUOROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF CAPSULE SIZE AND SUBJECT'S AGE AND GENDER ON CAPSULE SWALLOWING.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Swallowing Physiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Difficulty swallowing solid medications is common, influenced by medication size, age, and gender.
• Swallowing dynamics are affected by the physical characteristics of ingested substances.
• Previous findings indicate no difference in swallowing capsules of varying sizes (0.50 mL vs. 0.95 mL).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how capsule size, adult age, and gender affect oral and pharyngeal capsule transit during swallowing.
• To quantify the impact of capsule size and patient demographics on the mechanics of capsule ingestion.

Main Methods:

• Videofluoroscopy was employed to analyze capsule transit in 49 healthy adults (17 males, 32 females; age range 23-88 years).
• Capsules of two sizes (0.50 mL and 0.95 mL barium sulfate) were used, with ingested liquid volume quantified.
• Key measurements included oral preparation time, oral transit time, swallowing reaction time, laryngeal vestibule closure, pharyngeal transit time, and upper esophageal sphincter opening duration.

Main Results:

• Capsule size did not significantly alter oral or pharyngeal transit times.
• Increased liquid volume was consumed with larger capsules and by individuals over 40 years old.
• Oral transit time was shorter in older adults (60-88 years), and laryngeal vestibule closure duration was longer in women.

Conclusions:

• Capsule size does not influence oral or pharyngeal transit times.
• Both capsule size and participant age affect the volume of liquid needed for swallowing; larger capsules and older individuals require more liquid.
• Swallowing of capsules was faster in individuals older than 60 years.