Randomized, controlled, pilot study of nutritional intervention to evaluate the acceptance to different kinds of thickeners, with and without the addition of flavoring.

Background:

In patients with dyaphagia the modification of viscosity of oral liquids with thickeners ia needed to guarantee an effective and safe swallowing, and to ensure a proper state of hydration. There are two types of thickeners: thickeners obtained from modified starch or from food gums (suchxanthan gum)

Aim:

To evaluate the acceptance of different types of thickeners, with and without the addition of flavorings, and their relationship with water intake.

Methods:

Randomized, controlled, pilot study of nutritional intervention. Forty hospitalized patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia were randomized to 4 parallel groups: modified starch without flavoring, modified starch with flavoring, xanthan gum without flavoring, xanthan gum with flavoring. Each patient was asked to assess the odor, taste, appearance, and overall valoration of the thickened liquid with the different preparations, using a structured questionnaire. The number of glasses consumed by the patient over 3 consecutive days was also recorded to calculate de volume of liquid they consumed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia for liquids diagnosed before admission or during hospitalization and who need thickener.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with expected hospital length of stay less than 24 hours.
• Patients with food allergy to any of the ingredients of the thickener or flavorings used in the study.
• Patients with cognitive impairment that prevents collaborating in obtaining data.
• Patients in terminal situations, in which death is expected in the following hours.