Swallow competence in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Videofluoroscopic assessment of oropharyngeal swallow competence in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
IRAS ID
130314
Contact name
Rhys Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive, scarring lung condition whose causation is poorly understood. There are no effective treatments available besides lung transplantation and the median survival at diagnosis is around three years.
An emerging body of literature supports the role of gastro-oesophageal reflux (the passage of material from the stomach up into the gullet) in the causation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is postulated that spillage, or aspiration, of the refluxate from the gullet down into the airways may result in lung injury and there are several lines of evidence to support this theory.
In other respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patients have been found to have significant dysfunction affecting the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing. The normal protective mechanisms that work to protect the airways appear deficient, such that the lungs are exposed to saliva and food particles.
In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, swallow incompetence represents a different mechanism of potential lung injury than that explored in studies of reflux and aspiration, and one which has yet to be explored.
Using videofluoroscopy, a dynamic X-ray investigation, we aim to assess swallow competence in a small group of patients diagnosed with well-characterised idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1056
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion