Recurrent aspiration pneumonia precipitated by obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

The clearance of the pharynx by deglutition and the respiratory phase patterns associated with deglutition are important in protecting airways and lungs against aspiration. The deglutition and respiratory phase patterns during sleep in patients (without swallowing disorders while awake) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) precipitating recurrent intractable aspiration pneumonia were investigated.

METHODS

After videoendoscopic and videofluorographic examinations of swallowing showed subjects had no swallowing disorders while awake, two adults with recurrent intractable aspiration pneumonia precipitated by severe OSA were examined via time-matched digital recordings of polysomnography and surface electromyography of the muscles (thyrohyoid and suprahyoid muscles) related to swallowing and compared with the same patients before and under CPAP therapy.

RESULTS

CPAP therapy cured recurrent intractable aspiration pneumonia. Swallows following and/or followed by inspiration (uncoordinated deglutition with respiration), which were frequently observed before CPAP therapy, were markedly reduced under CPAP therapy. On the other hand, swallows following and/or followed by expiration (coordinated deglutition with respiration) markedly increased under CPAP therapy. Deglutition was related to the sleep stage. The deeper the sleep stage, the lower the deglutition frequency. Before and under CPAP therapy, swallowing was infrequent and absent for long periods. However, respiratory phase patterns associated with sleep-related deglutition in patients with OSA under CPAP therapy markedly improved.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients (without swallowing disorders while awake) with OSA precipitating recurrent intractable aspiration pneumonia, the high rate of uncoordinated deglutition with respiration (swallows following and/or followed by inspiration) during sleep were markedly reduced and the rate of coordinated deglutition with respiration (swallows following and/or followed by expiration) was markedly increased under CPAP therapy. Sleep-related deglutition and respiratory phase patterns are likely to adversely influence aspiration pneumonia in patients with OSA. CPAP therapy improved not only apnea-hypopnea during sleep and sleep quality but also sleep-related deglutition, especially respiratory phase patterns associated with deglutition in patients with OSA. CPAP therapy may decrease the risk of aspiration and greatly improve aspiration-related diseases such as aspiration pneumonia.