Case Study #6 (23)



Case Study #6 (23)

Jody Gill

Submitted on April 8, 2009

Parkinson’s Disease with Dysphagia

1. Describe Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. It occurs when certain cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine allows smooth, coordinated function of the body’s muscles and movement. When approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear.

2. What is the current thought regarding the etiology of Parkinson’s Disease?

Although the etiology of Parkinson’s disease is not completely understood, the condition probably results from a confluence of several factors. The first is an age-related attrition and death of the approximately 450,000 dopamine-producing neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra. For every decade of life there is estimated to be a 9% to 13% loss of these dopamine-producing neurons. If carried to its logical extreme, those patients achieving very great age are destined to lost approximately 70-80% of these critical neurons.

Another possibility is associated with a potent neurotoxin, a by-product of illicit drug synthesis. After the initial discovery, a number of other environmental neurotoxins have been described that have led to the parkinsonian state. These discoveries have led to the suggestion that Parkinson’s disease may arise as a combined consequence of the ongoing aging process coupled with environmental exposure that accelerate the process of nigral cell death.

The third component of the puzzle is the possibility that some individuals may have a predetermined genetic susceptibility to these environmental insults.

3. How does the etiology translate into signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s?

When substantia nigra projections to the putamen have been impaired, the globus pallidus interna and subthalamic nucleus begin to function abnormally. The result is that the brain is no longer able to sufficiently control motor function.

4. What specific signs and symptoms are noted with the patient’s exam and history that are consistent with her diagnosis?

• Complains of coughing and choking on food

• Feeling as though something is stuck in her throat

• Weight Loss

• Son and daughter in-law observances of a lesser food intake

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Diminished postural reflexes (Not related to Dysphagia but PD)

5. Which symptoms may place individuals at nutritional risk?

• Dysphagia

• Fear of eating

• Weight loss

• Diminished postural reflexes

6. Define Dysphagia.

Difficulty swallowing. It can develop at any point in the swallowing process from the mouth to the pharynx, esophagus or stomach. In some cases, Dysphagia is marked by choking or coughing that occurs when a person is eating. In other cases, the person may not be able to swallow at all.

7. Could Mrs. Leaming’s difficulty eating be linked to Parkinson’s disease? If so, how?

Yes, the neurological damage can weaken the throat muscles, making it difficult to move food from the mouth to the throat and esophagus. Nerve damage can also inhibit swallowing by reducing sensation in the mouth and throat. The swallow reflex is a complex neurologic event involving participation of high cortical centers, brain stem centers such as the tract of the nucleus solitarius and nucleus ambiguous, and cranial nerves V, VII, IX, X, and XII. Neurologic deficits in any of these areas can result in dysphagia.

8. What problems/complications are associated with Dysphagia?

• Malnutrition

• Anorexia

• Weight loss

• Dehydration

• Aspiration pneumonia

9. Describe the four phases of swallowing:

|Phase |Description |

|Oral preparation |Conversion of food from the solid to the semisolid state. This |

| |phase requires intact dentition and is negatively affected by |

| |poor salivary gland function (lubrication), surgical defects, and|

| |neurologic disorders. |

|Oral transit |A formed bolus is positioned in the middle of the tongue, |

| |neurological disability or surgical defects result in a weak |

| |tongue, cheeks or lips. These deficits can lead to leakage into |

| |the airway |

|Pharyngeal |Shortest, but most complex phase. The soft palate elevates |

| |closing off the nasopharynx and preventing nasopharyngeal |

| |regurgitation. The superior constrictor muscle contracts, |

| |beginning pharyngeal peristalsis while the tongue base drives the|

| |bolus posteriorly. Respiration ceases during expiration-the |

| |larynx elevates and the epiglottis retroflexes, driving the bolus|

| |around the opening of the larynx. The arytenoids adduct and are |

| |approximated to the base of the epiglottis. Bolus propulsion is |

| |enhanced by passive and active dilatation of the upper esophageal|

| |sphincter (of which the cricopharyngeus is a part). The |

| |cricopharyngeal and inferior constrictor muscles then relax, |

| |allowing food to pass into the upper esophagus |

|Esophageal |The bolus is propelled about 25 cm from the cricopharyngeus |

| |through the thoracic esophagus via peristaltic contractions. The|

| |lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and the bolus moves into the |

| |gastric cardia |

10. Give an example of one problem or condition related to each phase.

|Phase |Problem |Signs and Symptoms |Dietary Considerations |

|Oral preparation |Not able to chew, difficulties |Unable to clear |Cold foods (awareness of |

| |positioning tongue not able hold| |sensation), textured foods, |

| |food, decreased salvia | |gravy-add moisture to food, |

| | | |artificial salvia |

|Oral transit |Delayed swallow/absent of |Aspiration, jaw movement |Very cold food, carbonated |

| |swallow | |beverages, thickening foods will|

| | | |give patient more time to get |

| | | |foods down |

|Pharyngeal |Epiglottis doesn’t close, food |Aspiration |Slow down the movement with |

| |into the lungs | |textured, cohesive foods that |

| | | |form more of a bolus that stick |

| | | |together, thicken liquids |

|Esophageal |Originate in the esophagus, |Food Reflux |Moistened foods, chop or diced |

| |foods or liquids “stick” in the | |foods for easier voluntary |

| |chest or throat and sometimes | |movement through the esophagus |

| |come back up | | |

11. Describe a bedside swallowing assessment.

Assessment most likely completed by a speech pathologist to provide data for use in diagnosis and treatment planning. The clinical exam can be divided into 2 parts:

• Preparatory exam with no actual swallows

• Initial swallowing exam when actual swallowing is attempted and physiology is observed.

The bedside examination will provide information regarding

• Location of patient’s dysphagia

• Patient’s readiness for a radiographic study

• Ability to accept food into the mouth

• Oral reaction to placement of various tastes, temperatures, and textures in oral cavity

• Presence of any oral apraxia, abnormal oral reflexes such as otnic bite

• Postural and behavioral needs of the patient that must be addressed during the radiographic study

• Laryngeal function as it may affect airway protection and aspiration during the swallow

• Coughing status

• Best position of food in mouth

• Best food consistency

• Selection of optimum swallowing instructions

Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia

• Pocketing of food in the sulci or collection of food on the hard palate

• Excessive secretions

• Expectoration or regurgitation

• Reduced pharyngeal or laryngeal function on bedside assessment

• Repeated pneumonia

• Weight loss of unknown etiology

• Gurgly voice quality, especially after eating

• Suspected delay in triggering the pharyngeal swallow or reduced laryngeal elevation observed on bedside assessment

• Delayed or absent elevation of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage

• Obvious difficulty eating or slow eating in presence of functional tongue motion

• Coughing during or after swallowing

12. Describe a modified barium swallow or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.

A modified barium swallow is a radiographic examination of the esophagus during or after the introduction of a contrast medium consisting of barium sulfate. Structural abnormalities of the esophagus may be diagnosed through use of this technique.

A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing assesses swallowing, without x-rays. It involves passing a small, flexible, custom-designed scope, attached to a camera, through the nose and into the middle of the throat, recording pictures of the throat and voice box as the patient swallow liquid and foods.

13. For this patient, compare the values of labs that are significantly different from admission and day 2 of hospitalization. Which values are more accurate? Why?

|Lab |Admit Value |Day 2 Value |

|Albumin |5.1 |2.8 |

|Total protein |7.9 |6.4 |

|Prealbumin |35 |11 |

|Transferrin |250 |148 |

|Sodium |150 |135 |

|WBC |10 |4.0 |

|Urine specific gravity |1.030 |1.002 |

|PO4 |3.5 |3.6 |

|Magnesium |2.6 |1.5 |

|Osmolality |350 |297 |

|Glucose |135 |118 |

|Hct |48 |38 |

|RBC |5.5 |4.3 |

The lab values of Day 2 are more accurate. The admitting values are not accurate due to possible dehydration and the fact that the patient was not eating of drinking much prior to admittance. This affected almost all of the lab values including albumin, total protein, prealbumin, transferrin, sodium, WBC, Mg, Osmolality, Glucose, HCt and RBC.

14. Mrs. Leaming’s usual body weight is approximately 100 lb. On admission, she was found to weigh 90lb. Calculate her percent usual body weight (%UBW).

Mrs. Leaming is at 90% UBW.

15. How would you interpret her %UBW?

Mrs. Leaming’s % UBW is indicative of significant weight loss and possible malnutrition.

16. She reportedly lost 10lb in the past 6 months. Calculate her percent weight change.

Mrs. Leaming has had 10% weight loss in the past 6 months.

17. How would you interpret her percent weight loss?

Mrs. Leaming’s weight loss is significant and on the verge of moving into a severe state. Pt. should be ideal body weight is that of her usual body weight (dependent on frame size) of 100 lbs. Mrs. Leaming is weight is significantly affected by her dysphagia which could additional be causing nutritional deficiencies.

18. Are signs and symptoms documented in the physical examination that may indicate a poor nutritional status? Of so, which ones? What type of nutritional deficiency may they indicate?

Dry, dull hair: Protein, zinc, or linoleic acid deficiency

Sunken cheeks: Protein, calorie deficiency

Bilateral redness, fissured eyelid corners: Riboflavin, Niacin deficiency

Reduced strength in extremities: Possibly due to protein, calorie deficiency or PD

Poor skin turgor: fluid losses

Angular stomatitis and cheilosis noted on lips: Riboflavin, Niacin, pyridoxine deficiencies

Hypoactive bowel sounds: influences nutrition

19. Which of Mrs. Leaming’s lab values may reflect her nutritional status?

Low albumin (protein-energy deficiency; often associated with other deficiencies i.e. zinc, iron, and vitamin A), low prealbumin (protein-energy deficiency), low transferrin (protein-energy deficiency), low magnesium (decreased magnesium body stores, affects neuromuscular function), high osmolality (dehydration), low total cholesterol (increased risk, correlates with decreased albumin, prealbumin, iron, zinc, and vitamins A and E), and low WBC (possible vitamin deficiency).

20. Albumin, prealbumin, and transferring lab values are often used to evaluate visceral protein stores. Compare Mrs. Leaming’s values to the norms, and indicate whether these reflect mild, moderate, or severe deficits of her visceral protein stores.

|Lab |Norms |Pt Values |Mild/Moderate/Severe Deficit |

|Albumin |3.6-5.0 |2.8 |Mild |

|Prealbumin |19-43 |11 |Mild/Moderate borderline |

|Transferrin |200-400 |148 |Moderate |

21. By evaluating Mrs. Leaming’s anthropometric data, biochemical data, clinical data, and what you know about her recent dietary intake, what would you conclude regarding her nutritional status?

I would conclude that Mrs. Learning is deficient in energy, protein, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and fluid. She is most likely deficient in other micronutrients, in addition to the aforementioned nutrients.

22. Estimate Mrs. Leaming’s energy needs using the Harris-Benedict equation.

Harris-Benedict Equation:

Women: kcal/day = 655 + 4.3(100) + 4.7 (60) – 6.8 (77)

430 + 282 – 523.6

X 1.2 (SF)

1012 kcal/day

23. Calculate her protein needs. What standards would you use? Why?

30-40 gm/day

I would use the standards of 0.8 g/kg body weight/day. Due to competition of absorption of protein with levodopa (Pt. taking 50/200 mg pid of Sinemet) in the S.I., the timing of meals and medications must be carefully planned out. I would limit dietary protein at breakfast and lunch and add more to the evening meal.

24. Estimate Mrs. Leaming’s fluid needs using the following methods; weight, age and weight, energy needs.

Weight: 30 – 35 ml per weight in kilograms

1227 – 1431 ml/day

Age and Weight: > 75 years = 25ml/kg

1022 ml/day

Energy needs: 1 ml fluid per calorie consumed

If followed estimated needs = 1012 ml/day

25. Which of the preceding methods for estimating fluid needs is the easiest to calculate? Which method appears most reasonable for this patient? Explain.

Estimating fluid needs based on energy needs is the easiest to calculate because as RDs we would already have that information available. I also believe it is the most reasonable for this patient because the estimated energy requirements (HBE) already factors in age, height and weight in the calculation.

26. To maintain or attain normal nutritional status while reducing danger of aspiration and choking, texture (of foods) and/or viscosity (of fluids) are personalized for a patient with Dysphagia. In the following table, define each term used to describe characteristics of foods and give an example.

|Term |Definition |Example |

|Consistency |Degree of density firmness, viscosity; |The liquid has the consistency of cream. |

| |condition of cohering or holding together | |

| |and retaining form; solidity or firmness | |

|Texture |The visual and tactile quality of food |The avocado had a smooth texture. |

| |surface | |

|Viscosity |Glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; |The soup’s viscosity was extremely thick |

| |thick; adhesive |making it a very filling meal. |

27. Diets for Dysphagia are described in four stages. In the following table, describe each diet stage and give examples of five foods that could be included in each diet.

|Diet |Description |Examples of Foods |

|Phase I: Pureed diet |This diet consists of pureed, homogenous, |Pureed bread mixes, pureed fruits or |

| |and cohesive foods. Food should be |well-mashed bananas, fruit juices without |

| |“puddinglike.” No course textures, raw |pulp, seeds or chunks (may need to be |

| |fruits or vegetables, nuts, and so forth |thickened to appropriate consistency if |

| |are allowed. Any foods that require bolus |thin liquids are restricted). |

| |formation, controlled manipulation, or | |

| |mastication are excluded. | |

|Phase 2: Ground/minced diet |This level consists of foods that are |All beverages with minimum amounts of |

| |moist, soft-textured, and easily formed |texture, pulp, etc., any texture should be |

| |into a bolus. Meats are ground or are |suspended in the liquid and should not |

| |minced no larger than one quarter-inch |precipitate out; may need to be thickened |

| |pieces; they are still moist, with some |depending on liquid consistency |

| |cohesion. All foods from Phase I are |recommended, moistened ground or cooked |

| |accepted. |meat, poultry, or fish may be served with |

| | |gravy, casseroles without rice, soft |

| | |pancakes moistened with syrup, etc. |

|Phase 3: Soft/easy-to-chew diet |This level consists of food of nearly |Any beverages, depending on liquid |

| |regular textures with the exception of very|consistency, all well moistened breads, |

| |hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. Foods still|etc. with the exception of dry bread, toast|

| |need to be moist and should be in bite-size|or crackers, no coarse or dry cereals, no |

| |pieces at the oral phase of swallow. |fruit leather, yogurt with nuts or coconut |

| | |thin sliced meat is okay along with |

| | |well-moistened fish, etc. |

|Phase 4: Modified general diet |This level consists of food that is |Any beverages, any breads, cereal, meats as|

| |normally eaten just sticking to soft, |long as it has been moistened. |

| |moist, regularly textured foods. | |

28. It is determined that Mrs. Leaming’s Dysphagia is centered in the esophageal transit phase and she has reduced esophageal peristalsis. Which diet is appropriate to try with Mrs. Leaming?

I would try starting Mrs. Leaming on Phase 2 the ground/minced diet. Her chewing ability is still intact and the textures at this level are appropriate for her type of dysphagia. She will need to be assessed for tolerance to mixed textures.

29. What products or substance can be added to thicken liquids?

• Baby Cereal

• Banana flakes

• Bread Crumbs

• Cornstarch

• Cooked cereals (cream of wheat or rice)

• Custard mix

• Graham cracker crumbs

• Gravy

• Instant potato flakes

• Mashed potatoes

• Plain unflavored gelatin powder

• Plain sauces (white, cheese, tomato)

• Pureed fruits/meats/vegetables (baby food)

• Saltine cracker crumbs

30. Using her usual dietary intake, make suggestions for food substitutions to Mrs. Leaming and her family.

|Orange Juice | Pulp added |

|Cream of Wheat |Added milk |

|Raisin bran |Slightly moistened dry cereal with little texture and no dried |

| |fruit, i.e. corn flakes or Wheaties |

|2% milk |Use to thicken cereal |

|Banana |Mashed, or make sure it is soft/ripe |

|Coffee |Continue as long as thin liquids continue o be allowed |

|Sweetener |Continue to consume |

|Chicken tortellini soup |Add Saltine crackers to thicken, avoid corn, peas and rice in |

| |soup, must be small easy-to-chew, easy-to-swallow chunks of meat |

|Saltine crackers |Use to thicken soup |

|Canned pears |Continue to consume |

|Iced tea |Continue as long as thin liquids continue o be allowed |

|Baked chicken |Grind and moisten with gravy or sauce |

|Baked potato |Avoid skin, well-cook and moisten with gravy or sauce |

|Steamed broccoli |Avoid, substitute with soft well-cooked vegetable (carrots, |

| |softened) |

|Margarine |Continue to consume |

|Canned peaches |Continue to consume |

|Popcorn |Avoid |

|Coca-Cola |Continue as long as thin liquids continue o be allowed |

|Ice cream |Avoid, replace with cookies dunked in milk, canned fruit |

| |(excluding pineapple), soft fruit pies with bottom crust only or |

| |pudding |

31. Because her foods will be ground or chopped and few raw fruits and vegetables are tolerated/allowed, how can Mrs. Leaming get adequate amounts of fiber in her diet? (What are some high-fiber foods that could be included?)

Pregelled whole grain breads, whole grain pancakes moistened with syrup, slightly moistened high fiber cereals with little texture, fortified pudding/yogurt, pear juice, moistened beans and dietary supplement.

32. What is the current treatment for Parkinson’s? How do Mrs.Leaming’s current medications fit into this picture?

The current treatment for Parkinson’s include choices of several medications, surgical treatment, and physical and occupational therapy. Mrs. Leaming is already taking the most powerful weapon against Parkinson’s, which is the Levodopa. It effect is to replace the dopamine that is no longer being produced by degenerating brain cells. The other medications available are Selegilne, COMT inhibitors, Dopamine agonists, Anticholinergic drugs, Amantadine and Apomorphine. Surgical treatment includes Pallidotomy, brain tissue transplants and deep brain stimulation. Exercise may help to relieve stiffness and muscle wasting. Mrs. Leaming could include additional medications to help treat her Parkinson’s but she is currently taking the most powerful drug available for treatment.

References

1. National Parkinson Foundation. About Parkinson’s Disease. Available at: . Accessed on: April 1, 2009.

2. Cleveland Clinic. Parkinson’s Disease. 2008. Available at: . Accessed on: April 1, 2009.

3.

4. Jeff and Bonnie story. Parkinson’s Disease. Available at: . Accessed on April 7, 2009.

5. . . Available at: Accessed on April 7, 2009.

6. Florida Institute for Nuerologic Rehabilitation, INC. Glossary of Terms. Available at: . Accessed on April 2, 2009.

7. Mahan, L.K., & Escott-Stump, S. Krause’s Food & Nutrition Therapy. 12th ed. St. Louis, Mo:Saunders Elsevier Inc.;2008.

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