Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older patients with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND

oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and hip fracture are common problems in older patients, both associated with important complications.

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this study was to measure the prevalence and identify the main risk factors of dysphagia in older patients with hip fracture.

DESIGN

a prospective study in an orthogeriatric unit of a university hospital over 10 months.

METHODS

a total of 320 patients (mean age 86.2 years, 73.4% women) were assessed for dysphagia within 72 hours post-surgery using the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test. Geriatric assessment, hip fracture management and complications were examined to determine their relationship with the presence of OD.

RESULTS

dysphagia was present in 176 (55%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of delirium during hospitalization and the inability to perform instrumental activities of daily living before admission were associated with OD.

CONCLUSIONS

the prevalence of OD is high in hip fracture patients. Objective dysphagia assessment should be routinely included as part of the geriatric assessment of such patients.