Article

This study measured dose-response of a range of commercially available liquid
barium materials designed for use in videofluoroscopic oropharyngeal swallowing
assessments, particularly as they relate to the necessity of adding a thickening
agent for swallow safety. A group of 25 adult males representing various medical
diagnoses consented to participate, with 16 qualifying to complete a
videofluoroscopic swallowing assessment with liquid barium materials of three
viscosities (nectar: 300 cP, thin honey: 1,500 cP, thick honey: 3,000 cP).
Outcome measures included airway invasion (Penetration-Aspiration score),
postswallow residue, and patient preference. Penetration-Aspiration and residue
scores did not significantly differ between thin honey and thick honey bariums.
Significantly more severe airway invasion was observed with nectar boluses than
with two levels of honey boluses (p < 0.001). Significantly more residue was
observed in the oral cavity (p < 0.002) and valleculae (p < 0.001) with thin and
thick honey bariums than with nectar barium. Thin honey was rated as "easy" or
"average" to drink by 67% of subjects, compared with 54% for thick honey. This
study supports the use of thin honey barium over thick honey barium during
videofluoroscopic swallowing assessments because the two honey bariums were
comparable in terms of airway protection and postswallow residue in the
oropharynx and the thin honey was preferred by patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS