Relation between acoustic analysis of swallowing and the presence of pharyngeal residue and penetration/aspiration in resistant hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea

ABSTRACT Purpose: to evaluate the relationship between acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds and the presence of pharyngeal residue and penetration/aspiration detected by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in resistant hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: an observational study in which resistant hypertensive individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea participated through the all-night polysomnography exam. The participants underwent an acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds, using a Doppler sonar and simultaneously a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The acoustic parameters analyzed were initial frequency, initial intensity, first peak frequency, second peak frequency, final intensity and swallowing time. Independent samples of t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. The level of statistical significance adopted was 5%. Results: eighty five participants with average age of 58.3±6.3 years were evaluated. There was a statistically significant difference between groups with and without pharyngeal residue, in relation to the following parameters of swallowing acoustic signal: initial frequency and intensity, second peak frequency, final intensity and swallowing time. Only 10 milliliters of pudding consistency showed a statistically significant difference in the second peak frequency of the acoustic signal of swallowing between groups with and without penetration/aspiration. Conclusion: a relationship between measurements of swallowing acoustic signal and pharyngeal residue in this population was found, but not between swallowing sounds and penetration/aspiration.