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Symptoms Suggestive of Dysphagia and the Quality of Life in Cocaine and/or Crack Users

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A Correction to this article was published on 06 September 2019

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Abstract

Users of cocaine and/or crack may present symptoms of dysphagia due to changes in anatomical structures caused by the use of these substances. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of symptoms suggestive of dysphagia in users of cocaine and/or crack seeking treatment, as well as to investigate the quality of life of these individuals related to their swallowing condition. A cross-sectional study from September 2015 to December 2016, with 121 users of cocaine and/or crack, was conducted. 59 of them called a telemarketing service and 61 sought treatment at the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas in Porto Alegre (Psychosocial Alcohol and Drug Center). Users were screened and asked to fill the Eating Assessment Tool questionnaire. Users who presented themselves at the center were submitted to the Tool Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test. Users with symptoms of dysphagia responded to the Quality of Life in Swallowing questionnaire. Of all the interviewees, 22.3% (n = 27) reported symptoms suggestive of dysphagia and 2% of the individuals, submitted to swallowing test, presented cough in the liquid consistency. The scores showed a negative impact on quality of life, mainly related to fatigue, sleep, feeding duration, and fear of eating. Significant numbers of users of cocaine and/or crack referred to symptoms suggestive of dysphagia and significant impairments in quality of life, which require specific care in feeding this population in order to assist in their rehabilitation.

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Change history

  • 06 September 2019

    The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of the Sheila Taminini de Almeida name was incorrect.

  • 06 September 2019

    The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of the Sheila Taminini de Almeida name was incorrect.

  • 06 September 2019

    The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of the Sheila Taminini de Almeida name was incorrect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associação Mario Tannhauser de Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência, R. Sarmento Leite, 246/601, Bom Fim, Porto Alegre, RS, 90030-030, Brazil

    Karini Mayer Silva da Cunha

  2. R. Irmão José Otão, 575/602, Bom Fim, Porto Alegre, RS, 90020-090, Brazil

    Taís de Campos Moreira

  3. Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Fundação Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Centro, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil

    Sheila Tamanini de Almeida

  4. Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Fundação Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Centro, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil

    Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros

  5. Departamento de Farmacologia e Toxicologia, Farmacologia, Fundação Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Centro, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil

    Maristela Ferigolo

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  1. Karini Mayer Silva da Cunha
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  2. Taís de Campos Moreira
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Correspondence to Karini Mayer Silva da Cunha.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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The original version of this article was revised: The spelling of the Sheila Tamanini de Almeida name was corrected.

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Mayer Silva da Cunha, K., de Campos Moreira, T., Tamanini de Almeida, S. et al. Symptoms Suggestive of Dysphagia and the Quality of Life in Cocaine and/or Crack Users. Dysphagia 35, 121–128 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-019-10013-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-019-10013-0

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