RESUMO Objetivo Relacionar o tempo de trânsito faríngeo e a presença de resíduos com a dispneia e a função pulmonar em indivíduos com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica DPOC. Método Estudo realizado com 19 adultos (11 homens e 8 mulheres) com diagnóstico clínico e espirométrico de DPOC e idade média de 63,8 (±9,3) anos. A coleta de dados foi realizada utilizando o questionário COPD Assessment Test (CAT, Teste de Avaliação da DPOC) a escala de dispneia do Medical Research Council modificada (mMRC) e um manovacuômetro digital, para caracterizar o impacto da doença no indivíduo, a dispneia e a função pulmonar. Os dados referentes ao tempo de trânsito faríngeo e resíduo faríngeo foram coletados por meio de análise das imagens videofluoroscópicas realizada por três juízes cegados. Resultados Não foram encontradas relações significativas entre tempo de trânsito faríngeo (TTF) com função pulmonar (r = -0,71), e entre presença de resíduo faríngeo com a dispneia (r= -0,06). O TTF, quando comparado com a normalidade, apresentou-se aumentado. Conclusão Os indivíduos com DPOC, independente da gravidade da doença, não manifestaram associação entre alterações no TTF e resíduo faríngeo e dispneia e função pulmonar.

ABSTRACT Purpose To relate pharyngeal transit time and the presence of residues with dyspnea and lung function in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. Methods Study conducted with 19 adults (11 men, 8 women) with a clinical and spirometric diagnosis of COPD and a mean age of 63.8 years (SD = 9.3). Data collection was performed using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire, the modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC) and a digital manovacuometer, to characterize the impact of the disease on the individual, dyspnea and lung function. The data related to pharyngeal transit time and pharyngeal residue were collected through the analysis of videofluoroscopic images performed by three blinded judges. Results No significant relationship was found between pharyngeal transit time (PTT) with lung function (r = -0.71), pharyngeal residue and dyspnea (r = -0.06). PTT, when compared to normality, was increased. Conclusion Individuals with COPD, regardless of the severity of the disease, showed no association between PTT and pharyngeal residue and dyspnea and lung function.

The aim of this study was to investigate sensitivity disorders in the oral cavity related to the presence of Mycobacterium leprae in the saliva of treatment-naïve patients with leprosy in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 45 subjects with leprosy. The subjects were interviewed to evaluate the sensitivity of the oral cavity. For the detection of M. leprae, saliva and slit-skin smear samples were collected. The samples were analysed using a bacteriological index (BI) protocol and the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results indicated that 15 of the 45 (33.3%) subjects with leprosy showed decreased oral sensitivity, which confirmed the importance of the oral cavity sensitivity evaluation. There was not a direct relationship between the presence of M. leprae in saliva and changes in oral sensitivity. Positive saliva qPCR results from six (31.6%) of 19 paucibacillary (PB) patients suggested the possibility of a new site for sample collection. Positive results using these diagnostic techniques (BI, slit-skin smear and saliva qPCR) increased to 55.5%, thus opening the possibility of combining these different techniques to increase the rate of positive diagnoses, especially in PB patients.