Progress on evaluation of dysphagia in patients with Parkinson′s disease

Abstract

Parkinson′s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. The prevalence of dysphagia in patients with PD is 16%-87%. Dysphagic patients show abnormalities in the oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing. The evaluation tools of dysphagia in patients with PD include instrumental assessment tools, non‑instrumental objective assessment tools and subjective assessment tools. Videofluoroscopic study of swallowing and flexible endoscopic examination of swallowing are the gold standards for swallowing assessment in patients with PD; high‑resolution manometry, tongue pressure measurement, surface electromyography and ultrasonography can be used as supplementary tests; the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire Scale, which is sensitive, specific, reliable and valid, is recommended as a screening tool.