PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - García-Pachón, E AU - Martí, J AU - Mayos, M AU - Casan, P AU - Sanchis, J TI - Clinical significance of upper airway dysfunction in motor neurone disease. AID - 10.1136/thx.49.9.896 DP - 1994 Sep 01 TA - Thorax PG - 896--900 VI - 49 IP - 9 4099 - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/49/9/896.short 4100 - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/49/9/896.full SO - Thorax1994 Sep 01; 49 AB - BACKGROUND--To assess the occurrence, functional characteristics and prognostic value of upper airway dysfunction in motor neurone disease, 27 patients unselected for respiratory symptoms were studied. METHODS--Upper airway function was evaluated by analysis of the maximal flow-volume loop. Neurological diagnosis was established from the clinical history and physical examination. The degree of impairment was quantified by the Appel score. RESULTS--Twelve patients (group A) showed abnormalities of the maximal flow-volume loop consistent with flow limitation (seven patients) or instability of upper airway function (gross oscillations of airflow, five patients). The remaining 15 patients (group B) exhibited a normal or generally reduced maximal flow-volume loop, suggestive of muscle weakness. No differences were observed between groups in general physical condition, rate of disease progression, or duration of disease. CONCLUSIONS--Upper airway dysfunction in patients with motor neurone disease was a frequent finding. It was present more often, but not exclusively, in patients with bulbar features and was unrelated to prognosis.