Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Dysphagia is an important feature of neurodegenerative diseases and potentially life-threatening in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), but remains poorly characterised in these syndromes. We hypothesised that dysphagia would be more prevalent in nonfluent/agrammatic variant (nfv)PPA than other PPA syndromes, predicted by accompanying motor features and associated with atrophy affecting regions implicated in swallowing control.

Methods: In a retrospective case-control study at our tertiary referral centre, we recruited 56 patients with PPA (21 nfvPPA, 22 semantic variant (sv)PPA, 13 logopenic variant (lv)PPA).

Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.

Background: Caregiver burden, or the impact of caregiving, commonly occurs in caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD); however, prior research focused on caregiver burden in this population has not considered the impact of dysphagia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure dysphagia-specific burden in caregivers of PWD and examine its relationship to general caregiver burden, as well as the PWD's current diet level and dementia severity.

Method: Data were collected from PWD-caregiver dyads participating in a prospective, dysphagia-focused clinical trial at the initial study visit.

Dementia Care Practice.

Introduction: Patients with severe cognitive impairment, with the progression of the disease, show behavioral impairments, loss of functionality and, in many cases, swallowing changes (dysphagia). Dysphagia comes with serious complications that can cause health damage, such as malnutrition, dehydration and serious lung damage secondary to aspirations. Eating process goes beyond nutritional intake, as it has a social, cultural, behavioral, physical and cognitive component.

Insights into laryngeal Castleman disease: A comprehensive scoping review with a case study focus.

Introduction: Castleman disease (CD) refers to a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders, which rarely involves the larynx. Our goal in this study is to elucidate the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and treatment methods of laryngeal CD through a scoping review and the addition of a new case.

Methods: Due to limited existing literature, we employed a mixed methodology for review.

The effect of unilateral endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy on swallowing in cases of bilateral vocal fold palsy.

Objective: Endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy (EAAL) is a minimally invasive surgical technique for the immediate management of bilateral vocal fold palsy (BVFP). Specifically, it achieves a stable and adequate airway by lateralizing the arytenoid cartilage without resecting laryngeal structures. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of EAAL on swallowing in cases of BVFP.

Trial of alginates in throat symptoms: protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, placebo controlled, double blind, parallel, randomised controlled trial of liquid alginate (Gaviscon Advance) for the treatment of persistent throat symptoms.

Introduction: Persistent throat symptoms (PTS) are indicators for over 60 000 new patient referrals to NHS secondary care annually. PTS have been attributed to manifestation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) with the hypothesis that gastric refluxate damages and irritates the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. Symptoms of PTS and GORD are commonly treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or alginates are often, incorrectly, advocated.

A novel virtual reality blowgun game for rehabilitation of older adults: A preliminary case series.

Patients: Three residents of a long-term care home volunteered to participate in a rehabilitation program involving a virtual reality blowgun game. The participants played the game 5 days a week as a new exercise routine. After 4 weeks of intervention, tongue pressure and forced expiratory volume in 1 s improved in all participants.

The Esophageal Response to Distension on Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Panometry Is Minimally Changed by Conscious Sedation in Healthy Asymptomatic Subjects.

Background/aims: Functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) Panometry has demonstrated utility in the assessment of esophageal motility as a complement to existing methodologies like high-resolution manometry. However, as FLIP is typically performed with sedation during routine endoscopy, there is potential for impact of sedation agents on esophageal motility. We aim to examine the effects of conscious sedation with midazolam and fentanyl on FLIP Panometry metrics and classification.

Optimizing Assessment of Contraction Reserve in Ineffective Esophageal Motility: A Study of Upright Multiple Rapid Swallows.

Background/aims: Multiple rapid swallows (MRS) is a provocative test during high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) to evaluate contraction reserve (CR). This study aims to determine the prevalence of CR in patients with ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) and MRS performed in the upright position, and to assess the ideal number of MRS sequences.

Methods: We enrolled adult patients diagnosed with IEM according to the Chicago classification version 4.

Profiling of Anti-Signal-Recognition Particle Antibodies and Clinical Characteristics in South Korean Patients With Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy.

Background And Purpose: This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

Methods: We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with anti-SRP54 antibodies were determined.

Evaluation of the performance of screening tools for dysphagia in older adults: A diagnostic meta-analysis.

This systematic review evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of multiple screening tools for dysphagia in older adults. The analysis covered 30 studies involving 13 tools and 2,697 participants. The results showed that the volume viscosity swallow test performed best in sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve, making it a recommended screening tool.

Patient experience with eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms and impacts on daily life based on in-trial qualitative interviews.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic immune-mediated progressive disease, causes dysphagia, food impaction, abdominal pain, vomiting, and heartburn. EoE requires long-term monitoring and can affect quality of life owing to its symptoms and associated emotional and social burden. This study aimed to understand patients' experiences with EoE.

Unveiling the intricacies: Insight into gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) poses a substantial global health challenge, with prevalence rates exhibiting geographical variation. Despite its widespread recognition, the exact prevalence and associated risk factors remain elusive. This article comprehensively analyzed the global burden of GERD, shedding light on its risk factors, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, current diagnostic modalities, evolving management strategies tailored to diverse patient profiles, and complex determinants contributing to treatment failures.

The Impact of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy on Swallowing Function and Aspiration in Patients and Healthy Adults: A Scoping Review.

High-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) is highly versatile and employed in varied situations, including after extubation, in cases of respiratory failure, and at the end of life. However, its impact on swallowing function is not yet elucidated. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to clarify how HFNO affects swallowing function and whether it poses a risk for aspiration pneumonia.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with a more severe interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis in the EUSTAR cohort.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and could predict progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD). We aimed to analyse (1) the prevalence of GERD among SSc-ILD patients, (2) its association with disease characteristics and (3) predictive factors for ILD progression in SSc-ILD patients with GERD.

Methods: SSc patients from the EUSTAR database with ILD were included.

Multimodal deep ensemble classification system with wearable vibration sensor for detecting throat-related events.

Dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, requires continuous monitoring of throat-related events to obtain comprehensive insights into the patient's pharyngeal and laryngeal functions. However, conventional assessments were performed by medical professionals in clinical settings, limiting persistent monitoring. We demonstrate feasibility of a ubiquitous monitoring system for autonomously detecting throat-related events utilizing a soft skin-attachable throat vibration sensor (STVS).

The A to Z of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel technique within the field of third space endoscopy. The overarching principal is creation of a mucosal incision, careful dissection of the submucosal space using an electrosurgical knife to reach the muscularis (ie, tunneling), performing a controlled myotomy, and finally, closure of the mucosal incision. POEM was first developed for the management of achalasia, and now a decade of evidence shows the procedure is safe, effective, and highly reproducible.

Antireflux mucosal valvuloplasty versus proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in a tertiary healthcare centre in China: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Endoscopic antireflux therapy has shown promising potential in the treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, there is currently no universally accepted standard for endoscopic surgery. Therefore, we introduced antireflux mucosal valvuloplasty (ARMV), an innovative endoscopic treatment for GERD.

Impact of Modified Diet, Swallowing Exercises, and Neuromuscular Electrostimulation on Severity of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia of Geriatric Patients.

: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a common swallowing disorder, characterized by difficulties in moving food and liquids from the mouth to the esophagus; it is particularly prevalent among older adults with neurological conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term complex treatment protocol combining dietary modifications, swallowing exercises, and transcutaneous neuromuscular electrostimulation in reducing the oropharyngeal dysphagia severity and aspiration risk among geriatric patients. : A total of 64 participants aged 60 and older, with oropharyngeal dysphagia, at LSMU Kaunas Hospital between May 2021 and April 2023, were included in the study after excluding those with significant comorbidities.

Prevention and Management of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy in Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy remains a significant complication following minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and lymphadenectomy precision, the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy has not been improved. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy predominantly affects the left side and may lead to unilateral or bilateral vocal cord paralysis, resulting in hoarseness, dysphagia, and an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Aerodigestoscopy (ADS): The Feasibility, Safety, and Comfort of a Comprehensive Procedure for the Evaluation of Physiological Disorders of the Aerodigestive Tract.

Limited access to the comprehensive assessment of disorders of the upper aerodigestive tract is a barrier to care in rural health facilities. Assessment of the full aerodigestive tract requires a variety of specialists. The inability to access the necessary specialists can result in misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and increased associated mortality.

Learnability of Ultrasound-Guided Locoregional Anesthesia for Carotid Endarterectomy.

: There is an ongoing debate about the most advantageous anesthesia technique for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). From an anesthesiologic perspective, locoregional anesthesia (LRA) appears to offer significant benefits. However, the learning curve and complication rates for anesthesiologists newly performing ultrasound-guided LRA for CEA remain unclear and are to be examined in greater detail in this study.