Effect of Swallowing Rehabilitation Complemented With Nutritional Treatment on the Nutritional Status of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Patients

Introduction: Dysphagia is a difficulty during the swallowing process (transportation food from the mouth to the stomach. Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OD) is diagnosed by videoflouroscopy and faringolaringoscopy and it is frequently associated with neurodegenerative problems. OD threatens the efficacy and safety of swallowing, contributing to an increased risk of aspiration and pneumonia.

Problem statement: There are different interventions aimed to change and improve the physiology of swallowing; however, OD can be an important predictor of the progression of malnutrition in different types of patients. Malnutrition is defined as an acute or chronic disease whereby an energy imbalance, lack of energy, protein or other nutrients causes measurable and adverse effects on body composition, functional and clinical outcomes. In addition, it leads to a decrease in the quality of life.

Justification: It is essential to provide adequate nutritional interventions according to the specifications of the dysphagia in order to improve the nutritional status of these patients, as well to provide adequate early nutritional treatment when changing from tube to oral feeding, focusing on dietary factors that can significantly improve nutrition of the patient. However, there are no studies that evaluate the specific requirements for the nutritional treatment of these patients. By implementing a diet based on improving the safety and efficacy of swallowing in patients with OD, specific nutritional recommendations that impact on the rate of malnutrition and mortality of the different pathologies that present this condition could be established.

Objective: To establish a strategy of nutritional treatment and swallowing rehabilitation in patients with dysphagia.

Hypothesis: An adequate nutritional intervention in content and consistency, combined with swallowing rehabilitation in patients with dysphagia, will improve the nutritional status and clinical evolution of patients with dysphagia.