Home-based Combined Therapy with Rehabilitation and Aggressive Nutrition Management for a Parkinson’s Disease Patient with Sarcopenic Dysphagia: A Case Report

Background Sarcopenic dysphagia is caused by decreased muscle mass and muscle weakness in the swallowing muscles that occurs because of sarcopenia. The key to treating sarcopenic dysphagia is combined therapy with rehabilitation and aggressive nutrition management. However, to our knowledge, no studies based in a home medical care setting have yet been published. Case A 72-year-old man with Parkinson's disease developed sarcopenia and possible sarcopenic dysphagia during hospitalization for drug adjustment. At discharge, the patient's body weight was 39.0 kg (-33.8%/4 months, body mass index: 15.3 kg/m2), the Barthel Index was 45, Functional Oral Intake Scale was level 4, and Dysphagia Severity Scale was 4. Sarcopenia was confirmed by a calf circumference of 23.8 cm, a handgrip strength of 22 kg, and a gait speed of 0.5 m/s. The patient was diagnosed with sarcopenic dysphagia, according to the consensus diagnostic criteria for sarcopenic dysphagia. After the patient was discharged, he underwent a combination of dysphagia rehabilitation, daily activity training, and aggressive nutrition management, which started from 1200 kcal/day and reached a maximum of 2800 kcal/day. Four months after discharge, the patient's swallowing function returned to normal (Functional Oral Intake Scale: 7, Dysphagia Severity Scale: 6) and his weight increased by 31% (body mass index: 20.1 kg/m2). Increases in muscle mass (calf circumference: 32 cm), muscle strength (handgrip strength: 34 kg), physical function (gait speed: 1 m/s), and activities of daily living (Barthel Index: 90) indicated recovery from sarcopenia. Discussion Sarcopenic dysphagia may be a complication of Parkinson's disease, and home-based combined therapy with rehabilitation and aggressive nutrition management may be effective for treating this condition.