Scintigraphic evaluation of swallowing function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Murat Doğan1, Fatih Gündoğan1, İbrahim Hıra2, Ali Bayram1, Altan Kaya1, Zeynep Erdoğan3, Cemil Mutlu1
1Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Kayseri Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları ve Baş Boyun Cerrahisi Kliniği, Kayseri
2Ankara Dr. Hulusi Alataş Elmadağ Devlet Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları ve Baş Boyun Cerrahisi Kliniği, Ankara
3Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Kayseri Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Nükleer Tıp Kliniği, Kayseri
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, scintigraphy, dysphagia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the swallowing function using scintigraphy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS: Between June 2017 and September 2017, a total of 20 RA patients (14 males, 6 females; mean age 36 years; range, 28 to 57 years) who received clinic and laboratory diagnosis and followed in our hospital were included in this study. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers (14 males, 6 females; mean age 35 years; range 25 to 56 years). Disease activity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28). Swallowing function was evaluated using scintigraphy.
RESULTS: The mean duration of disease was 12 years. Two patients with RA had prolonged oral passage time and higher oral residual levels. The oropharyngeal distance measured in the patient group was found to be relatively longer than the control group, although it did not reach statistical significance.
CONCLUSION: Swallowing functions and disease activity can be evaluated using scintigraphy in patients with RA.