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PROGRESSION OF SELF-PERCIEVED SPEECH AND SWALLOWING IMPAIRMENT IN NON-ADVANCED STAGES OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Abstract
Aims
To assess changes in patient perceptions of speech and swallowing impairments associated with Parkinson’s disease across the first six years post-diagnosis.
Methods
Data from the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was obtained for 269 newly diagnosed people with PD across the first six years post-diagnosis (baseline, and then annual assessments through year six). Data from UPDRS scale items associated with “speech” and “swallowing” were collated across each assessment time point. The rate of change over time was assessed using parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses.
Results
Self-perceived speech and swallowing impairments were identified as mild at the time of initial diagnosis and progressed within the mild range of impairment across six years. The rate of change over time was significant for perceived speech impairment ([F(5.5, 1158.8) = 21.1, p <.001) and perceived swallowing impairment ([F(5.2, 1082.6) = 8.6, p <.001). There were no effects of age at diagnosis or motor phenotype on the rate of change for either speech or swallowing.
Conclusions
Self-perceptions of speech and swallowing impairment changed significantly over time in newly diagnosed PWPD. The presence of self-perceived mild speech and swallowing impairments in the initial years post-diagnosis may support the need for intervention to improve and or sustain function over time.