Accuracy of High-Resolution Pharyngeal Manometry Metrics for Predicting Aspiration and Residue in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Patients with Poor Pharyngeal Contractility

Several physiological metrics can be derived from pharyngeal high-resolution impedance manometry (HRPM), but their clinical relevance has not been well established. We investigated the diagnostic performance of these metrics in relation to videofluoroscopic (VFS) assessment of aspiration and residue in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. We analyzed 263 swallows from 72 adult patients (22–91 years) with diverse medical conditions. Metrics of contractility, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening and relaxation, flow timing, intrabolus distension pressure, and a global Swallow Risk Index (SRI) were derived from pressure-impedance recordings using pressure-flow analysis. VFS data were independently scored for airway invasion and pharyngeal residue using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale and the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale, respectively. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the relationship of HRPM metrics with radiological outcomes and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy. We identified aspiration in 25% and pharyngeal residue in 84% of the swallows. Aspiration was independently associated with hypopharyngeal peak pressure < 65 mmHg (HypoPeakP) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.27; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (0.99–28.1); p = 0.051], SRI > 15 [OR 4.37; 95% CI (1.87–10.2); p < 0.001] and proximal esophageal contractile integral (PCI) < 55 mmHg·cm·s [OR 2.30; 95% CI (1.07–4.96); p = 0.034]. Pyriform sinus residue was independently predicted by HypoPeakP < 65 mmHg [OR 7.32; 95% CI (1.93–27.7); p = 0.003], UES integrated relaxation pressure (UES-IRP) > 3 mmHg [OR 2.96; 95% CI (1.49–5.88); p = 0.002], and SRI > 15 [OR 2.17; 95% CI (1.04–4.51); p = 0.039]. Area under ROC curve (AUC) values for individual HRPM metrics ranged from 0.59 to 0.74. Optimal cut-off values were identified. This study demonstrates the diagnostic value of certain proposed and adjunct HRPM metrics for identifying signs of unsafe and inefficient bolus transport in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.