2018 Section 6 - Laryngology, Voice Disorders, and Bronchoesophalogy

Volume 27, Number 12, December 2015

Oral microbiota in older dysphagic patients

Figure 4 Total bacterial load for each location by group. N, nasal cavity; NPX, nasopharynx; ORO, oropharynx; TGE, tongue; SPUT, Sputum; SAL, saliva; DENT, dental surface; O. RIN, oral rinse. Multiple comparisons for anatomical locations are indicated in the table below for each group. ns: not significant; * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.

and increased mortality. 7,40,41 In earlier studies, we found that older patients with OD and patients with malnutrition presented increased mortality rates, the poorest outcome being for patients with both condi- tions with a 1-year mortality of 65.8%. 39 In the present study we have further confirmed these clinical char- acteristics in FOP with OD, especially OD-APN, 6 clearly showing their high vulnerability to acute diseases. The V-VST showed many signs of impaired safety in the OD groups, especially in OD and OD-APN groups.

than once believed, suggesting that most of these pneumonias are caused by aspiration. 36,38 Oropharyngeal dysphagia patients from the three groups presented impaired health status compared to the control group. A major morbidity in older patients with OD is malnutrition which compromises recovery in many diseases and increases morbi-mortality, pro- longed length of hospital stay, and higher treatment costs. 39 Impaired health status, malnutrition, and low functionality are known to be associated with impaired immunity, increased risk of infections, pneumonia,

© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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