Standardized compositions which facilitate swallowing in dysphagic subjects

Abstract

Disclosed are kits containing two or more viscosity-standardized, edible solutions for evaluating human subjects for dysphagia. Also disclosed are corresponding methods of using the kits for diagnosing dysphagia and for radiographic imaging of the oropharynx.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A kit of individual viscosity-standardized edible solutions for evaluating human subjects for dysphagia, the kit comprising at least two edible solutions selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a first edible solution having a known viscosity of from about 1 cp to about 60 cp at about 23° C., the first edible solution disposed in a first container;    (b) a second edible solution having a known viscosity of from about 300 cp to about 2000 cp at about 23° C., the second edible solution disposed in a second container; and    (c) a third edible solution having a known viscosity equal to or greater than about 3000 cp at about 23° C., the third edible solution disposed in a third container.    
     
     
         2 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second edible solution has a viscosity of between about 300 cp to about 500 cp.  
     
     
         3 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second edible solution has a viscosity of between about 500 cp to about 1500 cp.  
     
     
         4 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the third edible solution has a viscosity of between about 3000 cp to about 5000 cp.  
     
     
         5 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the third edible solution has a viscosity of between about 3000 cp to about 4000 cp.  
     
     
         6 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second edible solution has a viscosity of between about 300 cp to about 500 cp, and the third edible solution has a viscosity of between about 3000 cp to about 5000 cp.  
     
     
         7 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second edible solution has a viscosity of between about 500 cp to about 1500 cp, and the third edible solution has a viscosity of between about 3000 cp to about 5000 cp.  
     
     
         8 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second edible solution has a viscosity of between about 300 cp to about 500 cp, and the third edible solution has a viscosity of between about 3000 cp to about 4000 cp.  
     
     
         9 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second edible solution has a viscosity of between about 500 cp to about 1500 cp, and the third edible solution has a viscosity of between about 3000 cp to about 4000 cp.  
     
     
         10 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third edible solutions comprise an imaging agent.  
     
     
         11 . The kit according to  claim 10 , wherein the imaging agent comprises a radio-opaque imaging agent.  
     
     
         12 . The kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the radio-opaque imaging agent comprises a barium-containing compound.  
     
     
         13 . The kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the radio-opaque imaging agent comprises barium sulfate.  
     
     
         14 . A method for evaluating a human subject for dysphagia, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing at least two edible solutions selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) a first edible solution having a known viscosity of from about 1 cp to about 60 cp at about 23° C., the first edible solution disposed in a first container;  
 (ii) a second edible solution having a known viscosity of from about 300 cp to about 2000 cp at about 23° C., the second edible solution disposed in a second container; and  
 (iii) a third edible solution having a known viscosity equal to or greater than about 3000 cp at about 23° C., the third edible solution disposed in a third container; and then  
   (b) (i) evaluating swallowing in the subject for indications of dysphagia during and after the subject swallows one of the edible solutions; and 
 (ii) evaluating swallowing in the subject for indications of dysphagia during and after the subject swallows another of the edible solutions.  
   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein in step (a) the first, second, and third edible solutions comprise a radio-opaque imaging agent that does not leave an artificial coating in the mouth and oropharynx after swallowing is complete; and in steps (b)(i) and (b)(ii), swallowing is evaluated by radiography.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first, second, and third edible solutions comprise a non-pulpy fruit juice wherein viscosity of the fruit juice is modified by adding a thickening agent thereto.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the fruit juice is apple juice.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first, second, and third edible solutions comprise an imaging agent.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the imaging agent comprises a radio-opaque imaging agent.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the radio-opaque imaging agent comprises a barium-containing compound.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the radio-opaque imaging agent comprises barium sulfate.  
     
     
         22 . A kit of compositions of matter, the compositions capable of being diluted to yield viscosity-standardized edible solutions for evaluating human subjects for dysphagia, the kit comprising at least two compositions of matter selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a first composition capable of yielding upon dilution a first edible solution having a known viscosity of from about 1 cp to about 60 cp at about 23° C.;    (b) a second composition capable of yielding upon dilution a second edible solution having a known viscosity of from about 300 cp to about 2000 cp at about 23° C.; and    (c) a third composition capable of yielding upon dilution a third edible solution having a known viscosity equal to or greater than about 3000 cp at about 23° C.    
     
     
         23 . The kit according to  claim 22 , wherein the first, second, and third edible solutions comprise an imaging agent.  
     
     
         24 . The kit according to  claim 23 , wherein the imaging agent comprises a radio-opaque imaging agent.  
     
     
         25 . The kit according to  claim 24 , wherein the radio-opaque imaging agent comprises a barium-containing compound.  
     
     
         26 . The kit according to  claim 24 , wherein the radio-opaque imaging agent comprises barium sulfate.