ABSTRACT
Purpose
To assess whether there is an association between the presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia and the frequency of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study. Patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1] / forced vital capacity [FVC] <0.7 after bronchodilator use) were recruited, with no exacerbation of symptoms in the last six weeks, who underwent outpatient follow-up and answered the questionnaire of self-assessment for risk of dysphagia. In addition, they underwent clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing.
Results
Twenty-seven patients diagnosed with COPD answered the self-assessment questionnaire and underwent the clinical evaluation of swallowing. Eighteen (66.7%) underwent instrumental evaluation through the videofluoroscopy exam. The mean age was 62.7 years, with the majority of females (63%) and more than half of patients (70.4%) having an exacerbator phenotype. A significant association (p = 0.039) was observed between patients diagnosed with dysphagia and the number of exacerbations in the last year.
Conclusion
The presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia should be considered in patients with COPD presenting an exacerbator phenotype.
Keywords:
Deglutition; Deglutition disorders; COPD; Exacerbation; Speech, Language and hearing Science
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