Age-related changes of swallowing function

通过视频透视和测压研究评估随年龄增长的吞咽功能。研究对象为113人，他们以咽喉部异物感或吞咽困难为主诉。通过常规耳鼻咽喉科检查，证实他们在咽喉部没有任何病变。分为三组：青年组(<40岁，n=16)、中年组(<40岁，<65岁)和老年组(<65岁，n=39)，老年组咽腔清扫率明显低于中青年组，咽部血流和吸入丸组明显高于其他组。咽部测压研究对象为年龄在65岁以下的14人和65岁以上的35人。咽部压力在两个年龄组中都被清楚地记录下来，咽部吞咽阶段的压力也被确认为下降。然而，34%的老年组受试者的咽压低于正常范围，而年轻组的受试者中没有一人表现出低于正常范围的咽压。这项研究表明老年人群存在亚临床吞咽功能障碍。咽喉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.