Dysarthria and dysphagia are highly prevalent among various types of neuromuscular diseases

Abstract

The prevalence rates of dysarthria and dysphagia among patients with various types of NMD are high. Physicians should therefore be aware of this prevalence and consider referring NMD patients to a speech-language pathologist. IMPLICATONS OF REHABILITATION: Both dysarthria and dysphagia are highly prevalent among patients with neuromuscular diseases; moreover, although often mild, these disorders can occur relatively early in the course of the disease. Clinicians should routinely check for signs and symptoms related to dysarthria and/or dysphagia in patients who present with a neuromuscular disease, preferably using standardised instruments.

Screening and evaluation tools of dysphagia in children with neuromuscular diseases: a systematic review

“…Impaired swallow, also called dysphagia, is a frequent symptom in NMD that occurs in 34.9% to 80% of patients, depending on the disease age group and the severity . Prevalence in paediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases (pNMD) seems to be similar to adult patients .…”

“…In children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the oral phase is most compromised and contributes to the risk of choking even when the pharyngeal phase is relatively preserved . Dysphagia can result in complications such as nutritional problems or aspiration pneumonia, which is one of the most critical prognostic factors in patients with NMD . Particularly in children, aspirations may also increase when they are unwell or weaker and have to cope with increased airway secretions …”

“…Neuromuscular disease (NMD) refers to a group of approximately 600 rare diseases with progressive muscle weakness. 1 The prevalence is about 1 in 3000, 2,3 and disorders vary in terms of pattern of inheritance, genetic mutation, incidence, symptoms, age at onset, rate of progression, and prognosis. Most of these conditions are genetic and become clinically apparent during childhood.…”

“…8 Impaired swallow, also called dysphagia, is a frequent symptom in NMD that occurs in 34.9% to 80% of patients, depending on the disease age group and the severity. 1,5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Prevalence in paediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases (pNMD) seems to be similar to adult patients. 2,9,[16][17][18] However, precise estimates of the prevalence remain difficult to determine, owing to underestimation, lack of standardized assessment procedures, and inconsistency in the definition of dysphagia, especially in children.…”

“…2,16 Dysphagia can result in complications such as nutritional problems or aspiration pneumonia, which is one of the most critical prognostic factors in patients with NMD. 1,10,14,15,22 Particularly in children, aspirations may also increase when they are unwell or weaker and have to cope with increased airway secretions. 2 Early symptoms of dysphagia such as changes in voice ('wet voice'), dyspnea following a meal, or weight loss are often discrete and insidious.…”