Friday, May 5, 2017

Dysphagia in Friedreich Ataxia

Megan J. Keage, Martin B. Delatycki, Isabelle Gupta, Louise A. Corben, Adam P. Vogel; Dysphagia (2017). doi:10.1007/s00455-017-9804-4

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is commonly present in individuals with FRDA and worsens with disease duration and severity. Individuals with FRDA are at risk of aspiration at any stage of the disease and should be reviewed regularly. Instrumental analysis remains the only reliable method to detect aspiration in this population. Dysphagia significantly affects the quality of life of individuals with FRDA. No reliable predictors of penetration or aspiration were identified.