Progressive Dysphagia in an Elderly Patient with Normal Gait and Cognition Functions

—Dysphagia Resulting from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease—

Abstract

This study reports progressive dysphagia in an elderly patient with normal gait and cognition functions. He was hospitalized three times in the course of three and a half years, during which time his dysphagia progressed following exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dysphagia was thought to have resulted from kyphosis and upper airway inflammation that are caused by COPD. His dysphagia was characterized by a loss of muscle strength involved in swallowing and an increase in pharyngeal sensory threshold. The course of dysphagia was progressive and irreversible. His self-knowledge about dysphagia was poor, and he could not understand the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Because his level of long-term care need under the long-term care insurance system was low owing to his normal gait and cognition, treatment after discharge was difficult. Concomitant chronic diseases occur frequently in COPD patients, and dysphagia is considered one of them.