193 Prevalence of Swallowing Dysfunction in Severe Asthma: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for the treatment of persistent asthma, although highly effective, may be associated with local side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate swallowing function in patients with severe persistent asthma, by nasal fibroscopy. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with severe asthma with a mean age of 55 ± 11 years, using inhaled corticosteroids without spontaneous complaints related to swallowing, participated in the study. The participants were evaluated using nasal fibroscopy. Each participant was offered diet boluses (3, 5 and 10 ml) such as thin liquids, pasty and solids, and their swallowing function was determined according to the following criteria: (1) premature oral leakage to the pharynx; (2) laryngeal penetration; (3) tracheal aspiration; and (4) pharyngeal stasis. RESULTS: Nineteen (25,3%) of the patients with severe asthma presented premature oral leakage or pharyngeal stasis of the bolus after swallowing or laryngeal penetration. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with persistent asthma presented subclinical manifestations of abnormal swallowing, when analyzed using nasal fibroscopy, possibly associated with neuromuscular dysfunction caused by inhaled corticosteroids.