Clinical swallowing evaluation in multiple sclerosis at a reference center in the center-west of Brazil / Avaliação clínica da deglutição em esclerose múltipla em um centro de referência no centro oeste do Brasil

Abstract

Background: In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the physiology of deglutition can be compomised due the demyelination relapses, afecting both oral and pharyngeal stages. Symptoms control is an important part of the treatment of patients with MS, however, signs and symptoms of dysphagia may not be easily recognized by patients and caregivers. The management of swallowing reduces the risks of dehydration, malnutrition, pulmonary alterations and death. Objective: assess swallowing changes through a clinical evaluation in patients with MS ina reference and research center in a university hospital in the center west of Brazil Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2015 and August 2016, with 73 adult and elderly patients. The study included the oral motor system and vocal evaluation, and the functional evaluation of swallowing, using liquid-pasty, liquid, pasty and solid food consistencies. Results: Dysphagia was found in 30.14% of the patients, with significant alterations in the qualification and propulsion of the food bolus, featuring important impairment of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Conclusion: This results was similar in the researched literature. Showing that dysphagia can appear in early stages of MS, compromising all stages of deglutition process