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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Paula Leslie, Dr Michael DrinnanORCiD, Professor Gary Ford, Emerita Professor Janet WilsonORCiD
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Background. Assessment referrals are increasing for unexpected dysphagia, particularly for older people. It is unclear if this is due to more impaired swallows or healthy age-related changes. Swallow respiration coordination prevents aspiration, and may deteriorate with age. Nonpathological features of the swallow in healthy aging and the factors that influence an individual's ability to eat and drink safely need greater understanding. Some changes might predispose an older person to dysphagic complications in the event of an insult such as a stroke. We investigated the effects of healthy aging on resting and swallow respiratory patterns. Methods. Fifty healthy volunteers (aged 20-78 years) were recruited to have swallow respiration patterns recorded on a computer. Bolus volume and consistency variations were studied: 5 and 20 ml of water and 5 ml of yogurt. Results. Measurable swallows significantly decreased with age for water boluses. Swallow apnea increased with age (5 ml of water r = 0.433, p = .002; 5 ml of yogurt r = 0.367, p = .023). Independent of age were: breathing out (occurred after 98% of boluses); multiple swallowing (occurred with all bolus types); postswallow respiration reset pattern (more irregular after yogurt, Wilcoxon signed rank Z = -2.236, p = .025); and resting respiration. Conclusions. Subtle changes occur in swallow respiration coordination with age. These changes may be compensatory protective mechanisms rather than the result of decreased muscle mobility or reaction times, and not indicative of impairment. Misattributing healthy age-related changes to impairment affects patient care and the use of healthcare resources. Copyright 2005 by The Gerontological Society of America.
Author(s): Leslie P, Drinnan M, Ford G, Wilson J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journals of Gerontology. Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences
Year: 2005
Volume: 60
Issue: 3
Pages: 391-395
ISSN (print): 1079-5006
ISSN (electronic): 1758-535X
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: http://biomed.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/60/3/391
PubMed id: 15860480
