A dysphagia study in patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM)

Neurol Sci. 2012 Aug;33(4):765-70. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0814-y. Epub 2011 Oct 13.

Abstract

The nature of the swallowing impairment in patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) has not been well characterized. In this study, we examined ten consecutive s-IBM patients using videofluoroscopy (VF) and computed pharyngoesophageal manometry (CPM). The patients were divided into two groups: patients with complaint and without complaint of dysphagia. VF results indicated pharyngeal muscle propulsion (PP) at the hypopharyngeal and upper esophagus sphincter (UES) in all s-IBM patients. Patients without complaint of dysphagia showed a mild degree of PP, whereas a severe form of PP was observed in patients with complaint of dysphagia. CPM revealed that negative pressure during UES opening was not observed in the s-IBM patients with complaint of dysphagia. Incomplete opening and PP at the UES were observed in all s-IBM patients. These results indicate that the dysphagic processes occur subclinically in s-IBM patients who may not report swallowing impairments.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manometry / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / complications*
  • Pharyngeal Muscles / physiopathology
  • Zenker Diverticulum / pathology