Swallowing problems (dysphagia)

Problems with the swallowing of foods, liquids or saliva (dysphagia) may occur at any stage of PD and affect 40–95% of patients.⁵ This can have serious consequences, particularly if foods or liquids are taken into the respiratory tract (aspiration) where they can cause infections, such as pneumonia.² Dysphagia also increases the risk of dehydration and malnutrition.⁵ Dysphagia in PD is complex and highly variable in nature and severity,⁵ making clinical assessment challenging and sometimes unreliable.¹

References:
1. Suttrup I, Warnecke T. Dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease. Dysphagia 2016; 31 (1): 24–32.

2. Fasano A, Visanji NP, Liu LW, et al. Gastrointestinal dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. Lancet Neurol 2015; 14 (6): 625–639.

3. Dziewas R, Beck AM, Clave P, et al. Recognizing the importance of dysphagia: stumbling blocks and stepping stones in the twenty-first century. Dysphagia 2017; 32 (1): 78–82.

4. Kwon M, Lee JH. Oro-pharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders. J Mov Disord 2019; 12 (3): 152–160.

5. Tjaden K. Speech and swallowing in Parkinson’s disease. Top Geriatr Rehabil 2008; 24 (2): 115–126.