The Correlation Between COVID-19 and Dysphagia in Adults With Swallowing Disorders

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

  Swallowing disorders of the patients were evaluated with fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing study (FEES).

  Three Months

• The Penetration - Aspiration Scale

  The results of FEES was scored by the Penetration-Aspiration Scale. The Penetration - Aspiration Scale is an 8-point scale during instrumental swallowing assessments such as the fiberoptic endoscopic swallow study, both indicating the localization of the airway leak and demonstrating the response to the assessment.

  Three Months

• Oral Motor Dysfunction (OMD)

  Oral motor dysfunction (OMD) assessment of the patients was performed by physical examination of the oropharyngeal mechanism. Lips, tongue, palate, cheeks, teeth, jaw, larynx, and oral reflexes were evaluated with 26 items in terms of lifting, pressing, extending, retraction, approximation, rolling, lateralization, movement, coordination, speed, tone, and strength. A scale of 1-4 was used for scoring (1=within functional limits, 2=mild impairment, 3=moderate impairment, 4=severe impairment). The total score ranged from 26 to 104, with higher scores indicating greater degree of impairment. Only a score of 26 was considered normal within functional limits.

  Three Months

Conditions