Wirth Rainer, Lueg Gero, Dziewas Rainer
Klinik für Altersmedizin und Frührehabilitation, Marien Hospital Herne - Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
Klinik für Allgemeine Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster.
Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2018 Feb;143(3):148-151. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-120963. Epub 2018 Feb 6.
The prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in older persons is high. Because it is frequently undetected, screening tests should be applied in risk groups. If the screening test is positive or typical risk factors are present, an instrumental assessment should be utilized. Objective diagnostic tools such as endoscopic evaluation and videofluoroscopy allow the description of the individual dysphagia pattern, which is the basis for an individualized treatment. The endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is increasingly used because it includes several advantages. Potential therapeutic strategies are multifaceted. The evidence for the effectiveness of adaptive, compensatory and rehabilitative strategies is growing, supporting the evolution of dysphagia therapy to an evidence based treatment.
