Swallowing, Chewing and Speaking: Frequently Impaired in Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Next to pharyngeal dysphagia, chewing and speaking are also frequently affected in OPMD patients, even in asymptomatic carriers. Residue after swallowing is a very early sign, while aspiration is a later sign in OPMD. For clinical follow-up monitoring of subjective complaints, swallowing capacity and tongue strength seems relevant.