Article

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of orofacial dysfunction (OFD) and explore
factors associated with OFD in young individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).
METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study on a population with CP in a Swedish
county (132 individuals, mean age 14y 2mo [SD 4y 5mo], range 5-22y) using the
Nordic Orofacial Test - Screening (NOT-S), Gross Motor Function Classification
System (GMFCS), and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). The NOT-S
interview was completed by 129 individuals (76 males, 53 females) of whom 52 (30
males, 22 females) also agreed to complete the NOT-S examination. RESULTS: OFD
occurred in at least one NOT-S domain in about 80% of the individuals and was
present in all subdiagnoses, GMFCS levels, and MACS levels. Prevalence of OFD
increased with increasing levels of GMFCS and MACS from level I=55% to level
V=100%. Within the 12 NOT-S domains, the prevalence of OFD varied between 19% and
69%, wherein seven of them were at least 40%: 'Drooling', 'Nose breathing',
'Chewing and swallowing', 'Face at rest', 'Oral motor function', 'Speech', and
'Facial expression' (in ascending order). INTERPRETATION:
OFD is common in CP.
The use of OFD screening in health service planning would assist detection of
areas in need of further evaluation.
CI - (c) 2015 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS