Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The basical respiratory state of dysphagic patients with chronic aspirations is not well-known.

OBJECTIVE:

to determine if chronic aspirations are associated with chronic clinical respiratory complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A prospective study was performed on 76 patients with swallowing disorders; The patients who aspirate are determined by swallowing videofluoroscopy. All patients answer to a questionnaire analysing their general and respiratory handicap. And a respiratory clinical examination was performed. The clinical symptoms between the group of aspirating patients and non aspirating patients were analysed.

RESULTS:

The global handicap and the respiratory handicap, caused by swallowing dysfunction, are more important for the aspirating patients (p < 0.05). The aspirating patients are more often symptomatic (p < 0.05); They present more functional and physical respiratory signs (p < 0.05); it seems that they present more often respiratory infections.

CONCLUSION:

Chronic aspirations are associated with a chronic handicapping respiratory disease, that is still to be described with para-clinical exams.