Objective: This study aimed to characterize swallowing and cough function in older patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) using a multidimensional assessment.

Background: With population aging, the number of patients with PD, particularly older patients, is rapidly increasing. Aspiration pneumonia is a leading cause of death in PD.

Method: This study was conducted as part of an intervention project evaluating cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation over 8 weeks in patients with Hoehn and Yahr stage 2–4 PD. Assessments included handgrip strength, calf circumference, tongue pressure, peak expiratory flow (PEF), a 1% citric acid cough test, and videofluoroscopic examination. Factors were compared between patients aged ≥75 years (older group) and <75 years (non-older group).

Results: Twenty-five patients were evaluated (mean age, 72.0 ± 5.9 years; 9 women), including 9 older patients. The older group demonstrated lower handgrip strength, calf circumference, and PEF. PEF was significantly correlated with age, sex, body mass index, handgrip strength, calf circumference, cough test results, and hemoglobin levels. Changes observed after 8 weeks of cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion: Older patients with PD exhibit a marked reduction in PEF, suggesting sarcopenia-related impairment. Rehabilitation strategies targeting impaired airway clearance, including respiratory and generalized muscle strengthening and optimization of overall nutritional status, may be particularly important in this population.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-of-swallowing-and-cough-function-in-older-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/