Deglutition in elderly patients with dementia: findings of videofluorographic evaluation and impact on staging and management
Oral and pharyngeal function in 131 institutionalized elderly patients with advanced dementia was evaluated by means of videofluoroscopic deglutition examination (VDE). Findings were normal in only nine (7%) patients. Oral-stage dysfunction was observed in 93 (71%) patients, pharyngeal dysfunction in 56 (43%), and pharyngoesophageal-segment abnormalities in 43 (33%). Multiple-stage dysfunction was
