Abstract
Background: Swallowing function in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) can be negatively affected by dopaminergic medication with associated inhibition of brainstem reflexes. Three different "swallowing-safety" profiles of PD patients were previously observed, classified according to swallowing safety on and off levodopa. Methods: Here, we investigated the effects of L-dopa on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) on 26 individuals with PD from the three different swallowing-safety profiles. PFTs results were compared to predicted values and direct comparisons between the groups with or without dysphagia were performed with nonparametric statistical tests (i.e., Kruskal-Wallis). Results: A short (12-hour) withdrawal from L-dopa did not result in any significant changes in PFTs, and no differences on PFTs results were observed between the different dysphagic groups the on and off L-dopa state. No correlation was observed between the PFTs results with swallowing safety profiles of PD patients. Conclusions: Although deglutition seems to be at least partially affected by dopaminergic repletion, dopaminergic mechanisms do not seem to be responsible for PD patients' performance in PFTs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 146-150 |
Journal | Movement Disorders Clinical Practice |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- spirometry
- pulmonary
- levodopa
- swallowing
- videofluoroscopy