Patterns of spontaneous saliva swallowings during awake and sleep states in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate spontaneous swallowing frequency (SS-FR) and type of swallowing during awake and sleep states in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD), using polygraphic recordings to identify possible associations with disease severity.

METHODS

A total of 27 PD patients (19 male, 8 female) and 22 age-matched healthy controls were included. All participants underwent whole-night one-hour polygraphic monitoring, and SS-FR and type of swallowing were analyzed during both wakefulness and sleep stages. Clinical characteristics, disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr staging), and motor symptoms (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) were assessed.

RESULTS

SS-FR was significantly lower in PD patients compared to controls, both during wakefulness and especially during sleep. In PD patients, SS-FR during wakefulness was positively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr stage and motor symptom scores. The presence of dysphagia was more common in patients with markedly reduced SS-FR, indicating its potential role as a non-invasive marker for swallowing impairment. Salvo swallowing was observed in 4.5% (n = 1) of controls and 40.7% (n = 11) of patients with PD (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

SS-FR is significantly altered in PD, with reductions during both awake and sleep states reflecting disease severity. SS-FR measurement through polygraphic recordings may have potential as a non-invasive marker for early detection of swallowing disorders and progression in PD.