Prevalence and Biological Correlates of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Outpatients of a Geriatric Evaluation Clinic: A Brief Report.

BACKGROUND

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a relevant disease among older adults and is associated with serious adverse health-related outcomes, such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, or frailty. Increasing its recognition and the related mechanisms will allow us to its prevention and treatment at different levels of care.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and biological correlates of OD in outpatient older adults.

METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study including 100 adults aged 60 or older from a geriatric clinic of a tertiary hospital in Mexico City. Health variables and geriatric syndromes were recorded. The Eating Assessment Tool-10 detection test and the volume-viscosity swallowing test were used to diagnose OD. Logistic regression models were performed to identify the factors associated with OD.

RESULTS

Mean age was 81.2 (±7.5) years and 21% had OD. The presence of xerostomia (p = 0.05) and a worst nutritional status (p = 0.035) were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of OD among older adults was high. Inadequate nutrition status and the presence of xerostomia are more likely to be present with this swallowing disorder.