Evaluation and management of oropharyngeal dysphagia in different types of dementia: A systematic review

Prevalence of swallowing difficulties in patients with dementia ranged from 13 to 57%. Dysphagia developed during the late stages of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but it was seen during the early stage of Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Limited evidence was available on the usefulness of diagnostic tests, effect of postural changes, modification of fluid and diet consistency, behavioral management and the possible use of medications. Use of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tubes in advanced dementia, did not show benefit with regards to survival, improvement in QOL, or reduction in aspiration pneumonia. Significant gaps exist regarding the evidence for the evaluation and management of dysphagia in dementia.