Swallowing study in elderly with and without neurological disease: videofluoroscopy and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

In normal aging, physiological changes tend to interfere with swallowing, but elderly individuals may be able to keep feeding safely. However, in association with a neurological condition, the risk of dysphagia arises in this population. The swallowing function can be related to contextual factors, which describe multiple impacts on an individual's life. This view is consistent with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Purpose: This work aims to characterize the swallowing in elderly with and without neurological disease based on videofluoroscopy (FSS) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Also, we want to verify if ICF categories, FSS and swallowing scales are able to discriminate elderly with and without neurological disease. Besides, we want to know if there is any correlation between ICF categories and the presence of penetration and aspiration. Methods: The sample is composed of 63 elderly men and women, organized in individuals with and without neurological disease and neurological disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-ALS, Parkinsonian Syndromes and Cerebral Vascular Accident-Stroke). The evaluation of swallowing was done through anamnesis, clinical evaluation (direct and indirect) and videofluoroscopy (in which 17 parameters were quantified). We also applied the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Penetration Scale and Aspiration and Severity of Dysphagia Scale. The subjects were classified according to 39 ICF categories belonging to Body Functions (b), Body Structures (s), Activities and Participation (d) and Environmental factors (e). We used the Mann-Whitney test to compare each disease group with the group without neurological disease regarding ICF categories. We also compared groups regarding the 17 parameters of videofluoroscopy and the three swallowing scales. We used the Spearman correlation test to identify ICF categories and videofluoroscopy parameters associated with the occurrence of penetration or aspiration. ICF qualifiers assigned to individuals were also analyzed descriptively. Results: In the elderly group without neurological disease, most participants had degrees 0 (no change) and 1 (low change) in all ICF categories belonging to Body Functions (b), Body Structures (s) and Activities and Participation (d) and grades 0 and 1 in the parameters of videofluoroscopy. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between neurological groups and the control group in relation to ICF qualifiers, distributed in categories in all groups, as follows: ALS group, 23 categories (59%); Parkinsonian Syndromes group - 25 categories (64%) and Stroke group - 20 categories (51.3%). Videofluoroscopy parameters also differed significantly (p < 0.05) between neurological disease and control groups: ALS group with 9 parameters (52.9%); Parkinsonian Syndromes group with 8 parameters (47.05%) and Stroke group with 7 parameters (41.2%). Furthermore, we identified significant differences (p < 0.05) in the neurological group versus the control group involving the scales Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and Severity of Dysphagia Scale. We also found a correlation between ICF categories and the occurrence of penetration / aspiration: categories "Oral Swallowing" and "Pharyngeal Swallowing" were the most prevalent. There was also a correlation between videofluoroscopy parameters and the occurrence of penetration / aspiration: the item "Laryngeal Vestibular Closure" was predominant. Descriptive analysis suggested that the normal and neurological disease groups had differences in relation to various ICF categories. Conclusion: Elderly without neurological disease have essentially no changes or low changes compared to neurological disease groups. The use of standardized assessments associated with the ICF can contribute to discriminate elderly groups and improve the understanding of many aspects of swallowing (AU)