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Thorax 62:1017 doi:10.1136/thx.2007.084715
  • Letters
    • PostScript

Impairment of the swallowing reflex in exacerbations of COPD

  1. Seiichi Kobayashi1,
  2. Hiroshi Kubo2,
  3. Masaru Yanai3
  1. 1
    Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital, Ishinomaki, Japan
  2. 2
    Department of Geriatrics and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
  3. 3
    Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital, Ishinomaki, Japan
  1. Dr Seiichi Kobayashi, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital, 71 Nishimichishita, Hebita, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-8522, Japan; skoba-thk{at}umin.ac.jp

    An exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a serious impact on disease progression and is associated with high medical costs, but the cause of about one-third of exacerbations cannot be identified.1 Adequate protective reflexes in the airways play an important role in the prevention of aspiration of bacteria-containing oropharyngeal or gastric secretions. Impairment of these reflexes, such as the swallowing reflex, therefore represents a potential risk factor for exacerbations of COPD. We have conducted a cross-sectional survey to evaluate the prevalence of impairment of the swallowing reflex in patients with COPD and to determine whether this is a risk factor for …

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