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.