Abstract Background DM can impair swallowing function. Swallowing disorders in individuals with diabetes are often associated with dysfunction in the brain’s motor centers and nerve damage. Diabetes-related complications, particularly diabetic neuropathy, are recognized as a major cause of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including reflux and dysphagia. The main objective of this study was to evaluate oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with T2DM. This study screened for oropharyngeal dysphagia in 222 middle-aged Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), aged 18–65 years, who attended the Diabetes outpatient clinic (OPC) at a tertiary university hospital using the Arabic edition of the Eating Assessment Tool (A-EAT-10) and the Yale Swallow Protocol (YSP). Patients with an EAT-10 score ≥ 3 or who failed the YSP were considered dysphagic and were further assessed using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Results Results showed that 15.3% of patients had an EAT-10 score ≥ 3, indicating patients with OD. The mean total A-EAT-10 score in our studied group was 2.4 ± 5.36. The most common symptoms reported were coughing during meals at 23.4%, followed by the sensation of food sticking in the throat at 20.3%, and then stressful swallowing at 18.5%. Most patients were considered to have minimal risk for impaired swallowing safety. According to the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), 29.4% of patients showed laryngeal penetration, and only one patient exhibited tracheal aspiration. Decreased swallowing efficiency was observed more frequently among our patients. Residue in the vallecula and pyriform sinus after swallowing semisolid and solid food boluses was observed in 64.7% and 47.1% of patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that a proportion of patients with T2DM could experience swallowing problems, with 15.3% patients in the studied group having OD. The most common symptoms reported were coughing during meals, followed by the sensation of food sticking in the throat, and then stressful swallowing. The routine screening for OD in T2DM could be considered in clinical practice for early diagnosis and treatment of OD to prevent its complications.
Mousa et al. (Mon,) studied this question.