The Role of Biomarkers in Predicting the Chances of Aspiration in Patients with Difficulty in Swallowing

Authors: Nouf S. Almulaik, Ali E. Alanazi, Ghadah A. Alahmari, Tariq I. Almalki, Majed A. Alzahrani, Mohammed A. Shujaa, Yasser B. Alsowailem, Dana A. Almishri, Saeed J. Alghamdi, Redha M. Alanazi, Manar R. Alrashid

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14043651

Short DOI: https://doi.org/g8p78v

Country: Saudi Arabia

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Abstract: Background: Aspiration in patients with dysphagia is a major clinical concern due to its association with severe complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Traditional methods for assessing aspiration risk are often invasive and not always predictive.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of systemic biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for aspiration in patients with dysphagia.

Methods: This prospective study included 200 patients with clinically diagnosed dysphagia at a tertiary hospital. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and correlated with the incidence of aspiration determined by video fluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) over a two-month period.

Results: Elevated levels of CRP and procalcitonin were significantly associated with the occurrence of aspiration (p < 0.05). CRP demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85, followed by procalcitonin with an AUC of 0.78, and NLR with an AUC of 0.72.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that CRP and procalcitonin are effective biomarkers for identifying patients at increased risk of aspiration. These biomarkers could potentially be integrated into clinical practice to enhance early identification and management of high-risk patients.

Keywords: Dysphagia, Aspiration, Biomarkers, C-reactive protein, Procalcitonin, Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Predictive value

Paper Id: 231523

Published On: 2023-01-11

Published In: Volume 11, Issue 1, January-February 2023

Cite This: The Role of Biomarkers in Predicting the Chances of Aspiration in Patients with Difficulty in Swallowing - Nouf S. Almulaik, Ali E. Alanazi, Ghadah A. Alahmari, Tariq I. Almalki, Majed A. Alzahrani, Mohammed A. Shujaa, Yasser B. Alsowailem, Dana A. Almishri, Saeed J. Alghamdi, Redha M. Alanazi, Manar R. Alrashid - IJIRMPS Volume 11, Issue 1, January-February 2023. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.14043651

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