<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4SbK4E_0vjZ57Zu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4SbK4E_0vjZ57Zu00" width="1170" height="1084" >Swallowing difficulties are common and have a significant functional impact in patients with late-onset Pompe disease, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Neurology. “Increased awareness by physicians of these symptoms with systematic examination of the tongue and questions about swallowing can lead to appropriate multidisciplinary care with a speech therapist and dietitian if needed,” the authors said.The team, led by Pascal Laforêt, MD, PhD, from Université Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines-Paris Saclay in Versailles, France, reviewed 100 adult patients with late-onset Pompe disease who were followed in 17 hospitals in France and included in the French national Pompe disease registry. The results showed that 32% of patients experienced swallowing difficulties. These were often mild. However, in some cases, they were so severe that they necessitated percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. A fifth of patients experienced daily dysphagia, and 18% had aspirations. This caused 9.5% of patients not to be able to eat outside of the home. Macroglossia or an enlarged tongue was seen in 18% of the patients, with 11% having lingual atrophy. The researchers reported that only 15% of patients who had swallowing difficulties were followed by a speech therapist. Swallowing difficulties were significantly associated with longer disease duration, macroglossia, and a lower body mass index.“Bulbar involvement is additional evidence that Pompe disease is a multisystemic disease that needs regular systemic evaluation,” the researchers concluded. They said that future research should focus on the impact of enzyme replacement therapy on swallowing disorders in adult patients with late-onset Pompe disease.<h2>Reference</h2>Retailleau E, Lefeuvre C, De Antonio M, et al. Bulbar muscle impairment in patients with late onset Pompe disease: insight from the French Pompe registry. Eur J Neurol. Published online August 7, 2024. doi:10.1111/ene.16428</div></body>

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Swallowing Difficulties Impact the Daily Life of Patients With Late-Onset PD

Swallowing difficulties are common and have a significant functional impact in patients with late-onset Pompe disease, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Neurology. “Increased awareness by physicians of these symptoms with systematic examination of the tongue and questions about swallowing can lead to appropriate multidisciplinary...