Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in patients with amyothrophic lateral sclerosis: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT Purpose: to provide an integrative review of the current evidence on the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing performing procedures and analysis parameters in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods: the study question followed the PECO strategy, and the search was performed in Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, Lilacs, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases, using keywords and specific free terms. Two authors screened eligible articles published from 2013 to October 2021 and extracted data on fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing performing procedures and analysis parameters in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Literature Review: of the 1,570 articles initially identified, 14 were eligible. There was no consensus on the consistency, volume, and type of food, utensils, sequence, and number of repetitions of each task during the exam. The analysis parameters, when described, were distinct. Although with different classification criteria, the observation of pharyngeal residue, laryngeal penetration, and laryngotracheal aspiration was included in all studies. Conclusion: fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing performing procedures and analysis parameters are not standardized in studies with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.