Age-related changes of swallowing function

采用荧光显像法和测压法评价老年患者的吞咽功能。以咽部异物感或吞咽困难为主诉的113例患者在爱原大学医院就诊。经常规耳鼻喉科检查证实，患者在咽区无任何病变。将患者分为青年组（年龄<40岁，n=16）、中老年组（40岁<小于等于65岁，n=48）和老年组（65岁<小于等于65岁，n=39）。2.中老年组咽部清除率明显低于中青年组，中老年组咽部流动和滴入明显高于其他组。咽压测量受试者包括年龄小于65岁的14人和年龄大于65岁的35人。两组患者均可清楚地记录咽压，并可发现咽部吞咽期咽压下降。然而，老年组中有34%的受试者出现咽压低于正常范围，而年轻组中没有受试者出现咽压低于正常范围。本研究显示老年人的亚临床吞咽功能受损。咽部解剖结构的改变被认为是主要原因。

Swallowing function with aging was evaluated by videofluorography and manometric study.1. VideofluorographySubjects consisted of 113 persons who presented Ehime University Hospital with chief complaints of pharyngolaryngeal foreign-body sensation or swallowing difficulties. They were confirmed to be free from any lesion in the pharyngolaryngeal region by routine otolaryngological examination. They were classified into three groups : young group (<40 years in age, n=16) middle aged group (40【less than or equal】 and <65 years, n=48) and elderly group (65 years【less than or equal】, n=39).In the elderly group, pharyngeal clearance of the bolus was significantly impaired than those in young and middle-aged groups Pharyngeal flow and aspiration of the bolus in the elderly group were more frequently observed than in the other groups.2. Pharyngeal manometrySubjects consisted of 14 persons with the age less than 65 years and 35 older than 65 years of age. Pharyngeal pressure was clearly recorded in both groups of age, and the decrease in pressure during the pharyngeal swallowing phase was alsoidentified. However, 34% of subjects in the older group showed lower pharyngeal pressure than normal range, while, none of subjects in the younger group did.This study showed a subclinical impaired swallowing function in the aged population. The change of anatomical structure in the pharyngolarynx was thought to a main explanation.