Objective:To investigate the prevalence of dysphagia in community-dwelling elderly patients with chronic dis-eases and to analyze the correlation between the categories of chronic diseases and the prevalence of dysphagia.Method:Elderly people(aged ≥60 years)with one of five common chronic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease,respiratory diseases,and hepatobiliary diseases)were recruited from Shipai Community health service center of Tianhe District.Eating assessment tool-10 and Water Swallow Test were used to evalu-ate swallowing function.Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(ACCI)classification,grip strength test and 4-meter walking test were used to evaluate physical endurance of patients.The prevalence of dysphagia was de-termined among individuals with these chronic diseases and varying degrees of multimorbidity.The correlation between dysphagia and gender,age,chronic diseases,grip strength and walking endurance was analyzed.Result:The total number of respondents was 2352,of which 2121 were effectively surveyed.Among them,252 cases were positive for dysphagia,and the prevalence of dysphagia was 11.88％.The prevalence of dys-phagia was 63.89％for hypertension,28.57％for diabetes,39.68％for coronary heart disease,8.73％for respi-ratory diseases,and 2.78％for hepatobiliary diseases.There was no statistically significant difference in the cor-relation between gender,age and grip strength and dysphagia.Univariate regression analysis showed that respi-ratory diseases(t=3.987,P＜0.001),hepatobiliary diseases(t=2.158,P＜0.05),ACCI(t=2.745,P＜0.05),4-meter walk test(t=7.082,P＜0.001),the results were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Dysphagia is highly prevalent among elderly individuals with chronic diseases in the community.Respiratory diseases,hepatobiliary diseases,ACCI score,and 4m walk test are positively correlated with the prevalence of dysphagia.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the severity of pharyngolaryngeal sensory impairment and swallowing biomechanics as well as the risk of penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia following infratentorial stroke.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 51 patients with dysphagia following infratentorial stroke hospitalized in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2022 and December 2023. Participants were categorized into three groups: normal sensation group [15 males, 2 females; age range 29-76 (56.0±13.3)years], diminished sensation group[16 males, 3 females; age range 38-80(62.0±11.8)years], and absent sensation group [14 males, 1 female; age range 44-75 (60.0±9.7)years]. All patients underwent laryngoscopy and videofluoroscopic swallowing study, which included pharyngolaryngeal sensory testing and Penetration-Aspiration Scale assessment. Swallowing temporal parameters were quantitatively analyzed. Group comparisons for different variable types were conducted using the Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation between sensory groups and Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores was assessed using Spearman′s correlation analysis. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the impact of pharyngolaryngeal sensory function on penetration-aspiration events.Results:Among the 51 patients, 33.33% (17/51) had normal pharyngolaryngeal sensation, while, 66.67% (34/51) exhibited sensory impairment. The normal sensation group exhibited a significantly longer laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC) time [792 (643, 1 205) ms] compared to the diminished [528 (380, 776) ms] and absent sensation groups [380 (322, 404) ms] ( H=6.502, P=0.039). Additionally, the upper esophageal sphincter opening time was longer in the normal sensation group than in the absent sensation group [528 (371, 710) ms vs 182 (0, 710) ms, H=6.003, P=0.049]. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between the severity of sensory impairment and Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores ( r=-0.366, P=0.008). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that greater sensory impairment was an independent risk factor for penetration-aspiration ( OR=9.29, 95%CI=1.57-54.77, P=0.014). Conclusion:Pharyngolaryngeal sensory deficits are common after infratentorial stroke dysphagia and are significantly associated with impaired swallowing biomechanics and increased aspiration risk. The severity of sensory deficit is a key determinant of penetration-aspiration risk, highlighting its value in risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making for dysphagia.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of dysphagia in community-dwelling elderly patients with chronic dis-eases and to analyze the correlation between the categories of chronic diseases and the prevalence of dysphagia.Method:Elderly people(aged ≥60 years)with one of five common chronic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease,respiratory diseases,and hepatobiliary diseases)were recruited from Shipai Community health service center of Tianhe District.Eating assessment tool-10 and Water Swallow Test were used to evalu-ate swallowing function.Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(ACCI)classification,grip strength test and 4-meter walking test were used to evaluate physical endurance of patients.The prevalence of dysphagia was de-termined among individuals with these chronic diseases and varying degrees of multimorbidity.The correlation between dysphagia and gender,age,chronic diseases,grip strength and walking endurance was analyzed.Result:The total number of respondents was 2352,of which 2121 were effectively surveyed.Among them,252 cases were positive for dysphagia,and the prevalence of dysphagia was 11.88％.The prevalence of dys-phagia was 63.89％for hypertension,28.57％for diabetes,39.68％for coronary heart disease,8.73％for respi-ratory diseases,and 2.78％for hepatobiliary diseases.There was no statistically significant difference in the cor-relation between gender,age and grip strength and dysphagia.Univariate regression analysis showed that respi-ratory diseases(t=3.987,P＜0.001),hepatobiliary diseases(t=2.158,P＜0.05),ACCI(t=2.745,P＜0.05),4-meter walk test(t=7.082,P＜0.001),the results were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Dysphagia is highly prevalent among elderly individuals with chronic diseases in the community.Respiratory diseases,hepatobiliary diseases,ACCI score,and 4m walk test are positively correlated with the prevalence of dysphagia.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the severity of pharyngolaryngeal sensory impairment and swallowing biomechanics as well as the risk of penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia following infratentorial stroke.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 51 patients with dysphagia following infratentorial stroke hospitalized in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2022 and December 2023. Participants were categorized into three groups: normal sensation group [15 males, 2 females; age range 29-76 (56.0±13.3)years], diminished sensation group[16 males, 3 females; age range 38-80(62.0±11.8)years], and absent sensation group [14 males, 1 female; age range 44-75 (60.0±9.7)years]. All patients underwent laryngoscopy and videofluoroscopic swallowing study, which included pharyngolaryngeal sensory testing and Penetration-Aspiration Scale assessment. Swallowing temporal parameters were quantitatively analyzed. Group comparisons for different variable types were conducted using the Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation between sensory groups and Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores was assessed using Spearman′s correlation analysis. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the impact of pharyngolaryngeal sensory function on penetration-aspiration events.Results:Among the 51 patients, 33.33% (17/51) had normal pharyngolaryngeal sensation, while, 66.67% (34/51) exhibited sensory impairment. The normal sensation group exhibited a significantly longer laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC) time [792 (643, 1 205) ms] compared to the diminished [528 (380, 776) ms] and absent sensation groups [380 (322, 404) ms] ( H=6.502, P=0.039). Additionally, the upper esophageal sphincter opening time was longer in the normal sensation group than in the absent sensation group [528 (371, 710) ms vs 182 (0, 710) ms, H=6.003, P=0.049]. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between the severity of sensory impairment and Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores ( r=-0.366, P=0.008). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that greater sensory impairment was an independent risk factor for penetration-aspiration ( OR=9.29, 95%CI=1.57-54.77, P=0.014). Conclusion:Pharyngolaryngeal sensory deficits are common after infratentorial stroke dysphagia and are significantly associated with impaired swallowing biomechanics and increased aspiration risk. The severity of sensory deficit is a key determinant of penetration-aspiration risk, highlighting its value in risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making for dysphagia.

To synthesise the best available evidence for the effectiveness of interventions delivered in community-based rehabilitation (CBR) centers on physical fitness, for community-dwelling older adults living in Asian countries. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Seven English and two Chinese electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies that were conducted by centers providing CBR. Independent reviewers screened, quality-appraised and extracted data. The primary outcome was physical fitness measured by validated assessment tools, including the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), gait speed, hand grip strength, Functional Reach Test (FRT), and one-leg standing test. Assessments of activity of daily living and quality of life using tools including the Barthel Index, Short Form (SF)-12, and SF-36 were secondary outcomes. After screening 5,272 studies, 29 studies were included (16 RCTs, 13 quasi-experimental studies) from four countries. Meta-analyses found that CBR programs significantly decreased TUG time (mean difference [MD], -1.89 seconds; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], -2.84 to -0.94; I2=0%; Z=3.90, p<0.0001), improved gait speed (MD, 0.10 m/s; 95% CI, 0.01–0.18; I2=0%; Z=2.26, p=0.02), and increased one-leg standing time (MD, 2.81 seconds; 95% CI, 0.41–5.22; I2=0%; Z=2.29, p=0.02). Handgrip strength and FRT showed no statistically significant improvement in the meta-analyses. CBR may improve aspects of physical fitness for older adults in Asian countries. However, variability in intervention components and measurement tools reduced the ability to pool individual studies. Further trials are required with robust designs including standardised measures of physical fitness.

Objective:To observe the maximum tongue pressure and study the oropharyngeal activity during swallowing of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy so as to correlate the maximum tongue pressure with swallowing function.Methods:The mean maximum tongue pressure of nineteen NPC patients with dysphagia was measured at the anterior (TA), middle (TM) and posterior (TP) positions, followed by video fluoroscopy. Oral transit time (OTT), upper esophageal sphincter(UES)opening time (UOT) and UES opening range (UOR) were correlated with the mean maximum tongue pressures.Results:The maximum pressure at the TM and TP positions was significantly negatively correlated with OTT, but there was no significant correlation with the anterior readings. The maximum pressures at all three tongue positions were, however, positively correlated with UOT and UOR.Conclusion:The maximum pressure at the TA, TM and TP positions is strongly correlated with the swallowing function of NPC patients.

Objective:To explore the sensitivity and specificity of the simplified cough provoking test in predicting aspiration among patients with dysphagia.Methods:A total of 115 aspirating patients were evaluated using the simplified cough provoking test. Based on the overt and silent aspiration observed through video fluorography, the sensitivity and specificity of the test for predicting each type were quantified.Results:The subjects presented 44 cases of overt aspiration and 71 of silent aspiration. The simplified cough provoking test found that 36 had a normal cough reflex, 22 had a weakened reflex and 57 had none. When the cough′s strength indicated a normal cough reflex, the sensitivity of the simplified cough provoking test predicting silent aspiration was 70.4% and its specificity was 84.1%. The Youden coefficient was 0.545. When the cough reflex was adjudged as abnormal, the test′s sensitivity was 85.9% in predicting silent aspiration and its specificity was 59.1% with a Youden coefficient of 0.45.Conclusion:The simplified cough provoking test has good sensitivity and specificity in identifying silent aspiration. It can effectively screen populations at risk of dysphagia.

Objective:To seek any correlation between cortical activity and the swallowing of dysphagia patients with infratentorial stroke, and to observe any effect of three-needle acupuncture of the tongue on such activity.Methods:Thirty infratentorial stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a tongue three-needle group and a sham acupuncture group, each of 15. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHbO 2) at rest, during acupuncture (or sham acupuncture), during real or sham electro-acupuncture, and at rest after the acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment. The Modified Rankin Scale, a Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), and the Functional Oral Intake Scale were employed to assess overall functional disability and the swallowing of both groups. Results:At rest the average ΔHbO 2 concentrations recorded in the left primary motor cortex, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the left premotor cortex in both groups were positively correlated with the PAS scores. During the acupuncture ΔHbO 2 concentration in the right inferior frontal gyrus and the left middle temporal gyrus increased significantly in the tongue three-needle group. It decreased significantly in the left somatosensory cortex and the left primary motor cortex. Conclusion:Three-needle acupuncture of the tongue induces changes in cortical activity in infratentorial stroke survivors with dysphagia, suggesting a potential technique for improving disordered swallowing.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of anxiety and depression after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma among persons suffering from dysphagia, and to analyze the related factors.Methods:A total of 143 persons with dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were studied. They completed a general information questionnaire and were evaluated using the hospital anxiety and depression scale.Results:Anxiety was detected in 52 of the subjects (36.3%) and depression in 61 (42.7%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the average total anxiety score was significantly related to whether the respondent used a gastric tube and whether they lived in a religious household. The average total depression score was related to gastric tube use and to the respondent′s district of residence.Conclusion:Persons with dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma often suffer anxiety and depression. The use of a gastric tube increases the risk. The depression of rural residents and those with religious beliefs tends to be milder.

Objective:To explore the application of digital acoustic analysis in assessing the risk of aspiration among persons with dysphagia using the Praat speech analysis software.Methods:The swallowing of 46 stroke survivors with dysphagia was studied using video fluoroscopy. Each patient was required to pronounce " yi/i/" 3 times before and after taking each mouthful of food, and their voice samples were collected. The subjects were divided into a non-aspiration group of 16 and an aspiration group of 30 based on their penetration-aspiration scale scores. Fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation (RAP), jitter, shimmer, amplitude perturbation quotient and harmonic-to-noise ratio were compared between the two groups before and after taking food.Results:For the non-aspiration group, there was no significant difference in the acoustic data before and after eating. For the aspiration group there were significant differences in fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation and jitter before and after taking food. The average RAP and jitter of the non-aspiration group were significantly better than the aspiration group′s averages before eating. After eating, however, significant differences were observed only in average jitter.Conclusions:Analyzing perturbation and jitter can help to identify persons at risk of aspiration.