Model based on clinical characteristics to identify patients with neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia

Introduction: Neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia is a form of functional dysphagia usually caused by neurological and neuromuscular diseases, which produces several secondary complications. To improve its detection and characterization, models are emerging that integrate clinical variables to complement the physical examination of swallowing. Objective: Develop an explanatory model to differentiate patients with neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia. Materials and Methods: Case-control study based on a set of data derived from the clinical examination of swallowing with neurological emphasis carried out in a sample of patients with neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia of neurological and neuromuscular causes (cases), and in healthy people (controls). Results: 158 clinical variables were compared between both groups, where those with the greatest classification capacity were identified, integrated into an explanatory binary logistic regression model made up of nine variables: two history, two symptoms, three physical examination signs and two signs after consistency/volume test with food. The dependent variable was the category of being healthy or patient and the covariates were the clinical variables. Parameters reached by the model: Akaike information criterion 102 and Nagelkerke R2 0.78. Discussion: The nine variables that entered the model, together, largely explain the presence of neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia, and are accessible by physical examination of swallowing. Conclusions: The model obtained can improve and/or complement the evaluation process carried out in patients with dysphagia of functional causes, neurological and neuromuscular diseases, in screening and diagnostic characterization processes.