Dysphagia in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

The prevalence of dysphagia and its relationship to the nutritional status of the subject was examined in 53 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Forty-three patients (81%) had swallowing difficulties but this was mild in most of them. The nutritional status of patients with PD was similar to that of age- and sex-matched control subjects. Disease duration and severity correlated with the severity of dysphagia. The study also identified tremor and speech disturbances as the main predictors of dysphagia in PD.