J Korean Dysphagia Soc.  2024 Jan;14(1):10-17. 10.34160/jkds.23.022.

Clinical Characteristics and Evaluation of Dysphagia in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

• Yun SJ
• Seo HG

• KMID: 2559393
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.34160/jkds.23.022

Abstract

As South Korea becomes a super-aged society by 2025, the number of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasing rapidly. PD is characterized by motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity, and non-motor symptoms, such as depression, cognitive impairment, and autonomic nervous system disorders. The pathophysiology of dysphagia in PD is a complex interplay of motor disorders caused by dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia and the involvement of the brainstem swallowing center and the peripheral nerve system affected by the PD pathology. Dysphagia in PD presents difficulties in taking medications, contributes to malnutrition and dehydration, and reduces the overall quality of life. Despite dysphagia being a prevalent problem in PD, a significant number of patients remain unaware of the swallowing difficulties. Therefore, healthcare practitioners need to understand dysphagia in PD, consider early screening and objective evaluations, and proactively implement swallowing treatment and compensatory therapy as needed. This review examines the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, screening and diagnosis, and severity assessment of dysphagia in PD.

Keyword

Deglutition disorders; Diagnosis; Parkinson disease; Symptom assessment