The Correlation Between COVID-19 and Dysphagia in Adults With Swallowing Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 and dysphagia in adults. The population of the study consisted of those who applied to Bezmialem University, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dysphagia Outpatient Clinic with the complaint of dysphagia. Patients older than 18 years of age, suffering from dysphagia and not having mental retardation were included in the study. Patients who did not have swallowing difficulties and refused to participate in the study were excluded.

Detailed Description
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by involvement in multiple tissues and organs throughout the body. Conditions related to COVID-19 itself or its treatment are known to be associated with swallowing function. Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 and dysphagia in adults who applied to our dysphagia outpatient clinic. Patients over the age of 18, who applied to the dysphagia outpatient clinic were included in our study. Patients' demographic and COVID-19 information were recorded. Swallowing impairment of the patients was evaluated with the fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing study (FEES). FEES was scored with the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) questionnaire was used to examine how the quality of life of the patients was affected by swallowing difficulties. Oral motor dysfunction (OMD) evaluation was performed by the clinician.

Official Title
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The Correlation Between COVID-19 and Dysphagia in Adults With Swallowing Disorders

Conditions
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COVID-19, Dysphagia

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Older than 18 years of age Suffering from dysphagia Not having mental retardation Exclusion Criteria: Patients who did not have swallowing difficulties Refused to participate in the study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| COVID-19 Group<br>Patients with a history of COVID-19 infection and experiencing symptoms of dysphagia. | |
| Non-COVID-19 Group<br>Patients who do not have a history of COVID-19 infection but experience symptoms of dysphagia. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) | Swallowing disorders of the patients were evaluated with fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing study (FEES). | Three Months | 
| The Penetration - Aspiration Scale | The results of FEES was scored by the Penetration-Aspiration Scale. The Penetration - Aspiration Scale is an 8-point scale during instrumental swallowing assessments such as the fiberoptic endoscopic swallow study, both indicating the localization of the airway leak and demonstrating the response to the assessment. | Three Months | 
| Oral Motor Dysfunction (OMD) | Oral motor dysfunction (OMD) assessment of the patients was performed by physical examination of the oropharyngeal mechanism. Lips, tongue, palate, cheeks, teeth, jaw, larynx, and oral reflexes were evaluated with 26 items in terms of lifting, pressing, extending, retraction, approximation, rolling, lateralization, movement, coordination, speed, tone, and strength. A scale of 1-4 was used for scoring (1=within functional limits, 2=mild impairment, 3=moderate impairment, 4=severe impairment). The total score ranged from 26 to 104, with higher scores indicating greater degree of impairment. Only a score of 26 was considered normal within functional limits. | Three Months | 
| Cranial Nerve Examination | Nervus trigeminus (V. cranial nerve), Nervus facialis (VII. cranial nerve), Nervus glossopharyngeus (IX. cranial nerve), Nervus vagus (X. cranial nerve) and Nervus hypoglossus (XII. cranial nerve) which are five cranial nerves involved in swallowing function were evaluated by the clinician. | Three Months | 
| Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) | The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) was used to examine how the quality of life of the patients was affected because of their difficulty in swallowing. | Three Months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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COVID-19, Dysphagia, Flexible endoscopic swallowing study, Oral motor dysfunction