Analysis of resources assisting in coping with swallowing difficulties for patients with Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

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BackgroundMalnutrition induced by swallowing difficulties (SD) impairs the quality of life and gives rise to SD-related costs in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. With results of a swallowing difficulty questionnaire and data of resources specifically obtained such as SD-related costs, caregivers, and dietary therapies, this study is to suggest statistically supported ideas for improvements in arrangements for how participants cope with SD and maintain general well-being.MethodsWe interviewed 237 PD patients. The SD-related costs involved those incurred by the provision of dietary modifications, care oriented foods, alternatives, and supplements. Dietary therapies included rice porridge and commercially available care foods. The relationships between BMI (body mass index) and the severity of SD assumed in this paper as indicators for general well-being and as resources for coping with SD for PD patients were statistically analyzed.ResultsA lower BMI was found in participants eating porridge consistency rice (p = 0.003) and eating porridge rice is significantly related to the severity of SD (p ConclusionsSevere SD is associated with higher costs of coping with SD. A lower BMI is associated with modified foods, mostly eaten to cope with SD. Presence of caregivers and other persons residing with the participants here are related to dietary modifications but not to care food-related costs. Care foods may be effective in preventing malnutrition although the number who are able to cover the added expenses is limited because of the higher prices and shortage of information on the usefulness of care foods.

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