Article

Dysphagia is frequent in paediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases
(pNMD). Its detection is important for initiating early diagnosis and treatment
as well as for minimizing related complications. The aim of this study was to
review the literature on dysphagia screening and evaluation tools in pNMD.
METHOD: A systematic review was performed on the basis of the Preferred Reporting
Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Three databases
(PubMed, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect) were searched. Measurement properties of
tools and the quality index developed by Downs and Black were considered.
RESULTS: Our search yielded four studies and four different tools for paediatric
patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The Sydney Swallow
Questionnaire, surface electromyography, Neuromuscular Disease Swallowing Status
Scale, and videofluoroscopic swallow study showed interesting properties for DMD.
No data were available for other NMD and children under 9 years. The mean total
score for the quality index was 17.5. INTERPRETATION: We did not identify any
superior validated tools, either for screening or for evaluation of dysphagia,
and no widely accepted protocol. Further studies are needed to identify the
simplest assessment with the best psychometric properties for pNMD. We recommend
establishing a specific tool for pNMD.
CI - (c) 2016 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS