Is drooling secondary to a swallowing disorder in patients with Parkinson's disease?

Drooling is a common manifestation in Parkinson's disease (PD). It causes psychosocial difficulties and can result in aspiration and chest infection. Previous studies point to an association between swallowing problems and sialorrhea. The aim of this study was to determine if drooling is associated with dysphagia in PD patients. Sixteen PD patients with diurnal drooling were assessed using a modified barium swallowing with videofluoroscopy, and a drooling score. Changes in the oral stage of swallowing were seen in 100% of the patients; and in the pharyngeal stage, in 94% of the patients. The results showed a correlation between the drooling scale score and the level of dysphagia (-0.426; p<0.05). Patients with the worst dysphagia had the worst drooling.