RecruitingNCT07401732

Dysphagia in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Prediction of Dysphagia Severity and Diagnosis of Its Possible Causes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sponsor

Tanta University

Enrollment

137 participants

Start Date

Feb 7, 2026

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Summary

The primary goal of this cross-sectional study is to assess risk factors/predictors for dysphagia severity in RA. The secondary goals include demonstrating whether flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy can diagnose joint-affection-induced dysphagia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether both oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia are present among these patients. The main questions it aims to answer are * What are the predictors that are associated with dysphagia severity via flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy in rheumatoid arthritis patients? * Whether flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy can diagnose joint-affection-induced dysphagia in patients with RA? * Whether both oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia are present in patients with RA?

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria2

Patients with Rheumatoid arthritis defined by the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative (ACR/EULAR) 2010 classification criteria.
Patients aged above 18 years old, well-orientated, and cooperative.

Exclusion Criteria7

concomitant cancer diagnosis, pregnancy.
jaw-related traumas, teeth and gum diseases.
other rheumatologic conditions
other comorbidities.
other causes of TMJ arthritis, patients with TMJ, palatal or tongue congenital abnormalities, and patients who underwent TMJ injections in the last six months.
Patients with any language disorders or intellectually handicapped (as certain questions depend on the patient's ability to comprehend and express their emotions regarding their issue) and patients with anatomical anomalies impeding the functionality of flexible nasofibroscopy.
Any apparent causes of dysphagia other than RA.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTflexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES) will be used to examine the nose, throat, and airway to diagnose possible causes of dysphagia. The dysphagia severity scale via FEES will be scored. It is a flexible process that may be applied to a variety of situations and objectives (named as flexible pharyngolaryngoscopy). Following the routine oropharyngeal examination, its versatility can enable it to be used as a laryngoscope for examining the larynx and adjacent regions.