Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Swallowing disorders and associated factors in older adults living in nursing homes

  • Miscellaneous
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of swallowing disorders and the associated factors in older adults living in nursing homes.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 73 older adults (≥ 60 years; mean age = 80 ± 7.49 years; female = 82.2%) living in five non-profit Brazilian nursing homes. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The frequency of swallowing disorders was determined by the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (VVS-T). Covariables with a p-value less than 0.20 according to Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were included in the multiple logistic regression analysis model. The level of significance was 5%.

Results

The frequency of swallowing disorders was 63%. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that the chance of an older adult living in a nursing home presenting with swallowing disorders increased by 8% with each 1-year increase in age. Decreases in oral intake level improved the chance of a negative result in the VVS-T by approximately four times, and an individual with a FOIS level below seven was almost 11 times more likely to have a swallowing disorder.

Conclusion

The frequency of swallowing disorders in older adults living in nursing homes is high and is associated with age and oral intake. The management care team should be aware of the early detection of these conditions to prevent complications of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

References

  1. Wakabayashi H, Sashika H, Matsushima M (2015) Head lifting strength is associated with dysphagia and malnutrition in frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 15(4):410–416. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.12283

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Groher ME (1997) Dysphagia: diagnosis and management, 3rd edn. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  3. Furkim AM, Duarte ST, Hildebrandt PT, Rodrigues KA. A instituição asilar como fator potencializador da disfagia. Rev. CEFAC. 2010; 12(6): 954–63. Portuguese.

  4. Kua CH, Mak VSL, Huey Lee SW (2019) Health outcomes of deprescribing interventions among older residents in nursing homes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc 20(3):362-372.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2018.10.026

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Santos BP, Andrade MJC, Silva RO, Menezes EC (2018) Dysphagia in the elderly in long-term care facilities. Rev CEFAC 20(1):123–130. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620182013817

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Xavier JS, Gois ACB, Travassos LCP, Pernambuco L (2021) Oropharyngeal dysphagia frequency in older adults living in nursing homes: an integrative review. CoDAS 33(3):e20200153. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20202020153

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Pernambuco L, Espelt A, Góis ACB, de Lima KC (2017) Voice disorders in older adults living in nursing homes: prevalence and associated factors. J Voice 31(4):510.e15-510.e21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2016.11.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ferrero López MI, García Gollarte JF, Botella Trelis JJ, Juan Vidal O. Detección de disfagia en mayores institucionalizados [Detection of dysphagia in the institutionalised elderly]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol. 2012 Jul-Aug;47(4):143-7. Spanish. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regg.2011.09.004

  9. Pfeiffer E (1975) A short portable mental status questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 23(70):433–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1975.tb00927.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Rodrigues RMC (2008) Validation of the European Portuguese version of a multidimensional functional assessment questionnaire for the elderly. Rev Panam Salud Publica 23(2):109–115. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49892008000200006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Magalhães Junior HV, Pernambuco LA, Cavalcanti RVA, Lima KC, Ferreira MAF (2020) Validity evidence of an epidemiological oropharyngeal dysphagia screening questionnaire for older adults. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 75:e1425. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2020/e1425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Magalhães Junior HV, Pernambuco LA, Cavalcanti RVA, Silva RGD, Lima KC, Ferreira MAF. Accuracy of an epidemiological oropharyngeal dysphagia screening for older adults. Gerodontology. 2021. Epub ahead of print. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ger.12613.

  13. Rofes L, Arreola V, Mukherjee R, Clavé P (2014) Sensitivity and specificity of the eating assessment tool and the volume-viscosity swallow test for clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Neurogastroenterol Motil 26(9):1256–1265. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.12382

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Rofes L, Arreola V, Clavé P (2012) The volume-viscosity swallow test for clinical screening of dysphagia and aspiration. Nestle Nutr Inst Workshop Ser 72:33–42. https://doi.org/10.1159/000339979

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Furkim AM, Sacco ABF (2008) Eficácia da fonoterapia em disfagia neurogênica usando a escala funcional de ingestão por via oral (FOIS) como marcador. Rev CEFAC 10(4):503–512. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-18462008000400010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Crary MA, Mann GD, Groher ME (2005) Initial psychometric assessment of a functional oral intake scale for dysphagia in stroke patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 86(8):1516–1520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2004.11.049

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rosa VPPR, Cappellari FCBD, Urbanetto JS (2019) Analysis of risk factors for falls in institutionalized elderly. Rev bras geriatr gerontol 22(1):e180138. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562019022.180138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Scherrer Jr G, Okuno MFP, Oliveira LM, Barbosa DA, Alonso AC, Fram DS et al. Quality of life of institutionalized elderly with and without signs of depression. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019; 72 (Suppl 2): 127–33. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0316

  19. Damo CC, Doring M, Alves ALS, Portella MR (2018) Malnutrition risk and associated factors in institutionalized elderly. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol 21(6):735–742. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562018021.180152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Silva E, Farias IP, Montenegro LA, de Araújo EG, Raymundo ML, Brito AC, de Lucena EH et al (2021) Impact of oral health on nutritional status, self-perception of oral health and quality of life of institutionalized elderly. J Clin Exp Dent 13(2):e172–e178. https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.57340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Inouye K, Pedrazzani ES. Educational status, social economic status and evaluation of some dimensions of octogenarians' quality of life. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2007;15 Spec No:742–7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-11692007000700005.

  22. Clarke P, Colantonio A. Wheelchair use among community-dwelling older adults: Prevalence and risk factors in a national sample. Can J Aging. 2005 Summer;24(2):191–8. https://doi.org/10.1353/cja.2005.0059.

  23. Oliveira BS, Delgado SE, Brescovici SM (2014) Changes in chewing and swallowing functions in the feeding process of institutionalized elderly. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol 17(3):575–587. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-9823.2014.13065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Santelle O, Lefrève AMC, Cervato AM. Institutionalized food and its social representations among residents of long-term care facilities for the elderly in São Paulo. Cad. Public Health, Rio de Janeiro. 2007; 23(12):3061–65. Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2007001200029

  25. Presse N, Ferland G (2010) Risk factors contributing to insufficient water intake in elderly living in nursing homes and long-term care units: a review of the literature. Can J Dietetic Practice Res 71(4):94–99. https://doi.org/10.3148/71.4.2010.206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Santoro PP, Furia CL, Forte AP, Lemos EM, Garcia RI, Tavares RA et al (2011) Otolaryngology and speech therapy evaluation in the assessment of oropharyngeal dysphagia: a combined protocol proposal. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 77(2):201–213. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1808-86942011000200010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Kendall K (2007) Presbyphonia: a review. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 15(3):137–140. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0b013e328166794f

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Suominen M, Muurinen S, Routasalo P, Soini H, Suur-Uski I, Peiponen A, Finne-Soveri H, Pitkala KH (2005) Malnutrition and associated factors among aged residents in all nursing homes in Helsinki. Eur J Clin Nutr 59(4):578–583. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602111

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Fernández-Getino Sallés C. Prevalencia de disfagia orofaríngea en ancianos institucionalizados y su relación con síndromes geriátricos. Rev Logop Fon Audiol. 2018;38(2):69–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rlfa.2017.09.001.

  30. Logemann JA, Curro FA, Pauloski B, Gensler G (2013) Aging effects on oropharyngeal swallow and the role of dental care in oropharyngeal dysphagia. Oral Dis 19(8):733–737. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.12104

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Matsuo K, Palmer JB (2008) Anatomy and physiology of feeding and swallowing: normal and abnormal. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 19(4):691–707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2008.06.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Kertscher B, Speyer R, Fong E, Georgiou AM, Smith M (2015) Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the Netherlands: a telephone survey. Dysphagia 30(2):114–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-014-9584-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Wakabayashi H, Matsushima M (2016) Dysphagia assessed by the 10-item eating assessment tool is associated with nutritional status and activities of daily living in elderly individuals requiring long-term care. J Nutr Health Aging 20(1):22–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0671-8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Izaola O, Gómez Hoyos E, López JJ, Ortola A, Torres B, Primo D, Castro Á, De Luis Román DA (2018) The 10-item eating assessment tool is associated with nutritional status, mortality and hospital stay in elderly individuals requiring hospitalization with acute diseases. Nutr Hosp 35(4):827–832. https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.1698

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support given by the board of directors and workers of the five non-profit nursing homes included in this study. We also thank the support of all the undergraduate students who contributed to the acquisition of data.

Funding

This study was supported in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) [Funding Agency] under Grant Finance Code 001.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Program, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

    Jessica Soares Xavier, Hipólito Virgilio Magalhães Junior & Leandro Pernambuco

  2. Public Health Program, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil

    Amanda Cibelly Brito Gois & Kenio Costa Lima

  3. Decision and Health Models Program, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

    Luiz Medeiros Araújo Lima Filho & Leandro Pernambuco

  4. Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil

    Juliana Fernandes Godoy & Hipólito Virgilio Magalhães Junior

  5. Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, CEP: 58051-900, Brazil

    Leandro Pernambuco

Authors
  1. Jessica Soares Xavier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amanda Cibelly Brito Gois
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kenio Costa Lima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luiz Medeiros Araújo Lima Filho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Juliana Fernandes Godoy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hipólito Virgilio Magalhães Junior
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Leandro Pernambuco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

JSX, ACBG and LP contributed to the study conception and design. Acquisition of data, and the first draft of the manuscript were performed by JSX and ACBG. LMALF performed the statistical analysis. All authors contributed to the interpretation of data, critical revision, and the final draft of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leandro Pernambuco.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Disclosure

No ethical approval was necessary.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xavier, J.S., Gois, A.C.B., Costa Lima, K. et al. Swallowing disorders and associated factors in older adults living in nursing homes. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 279, 3733–3740 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07355-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07355-1

Keyword

Search

Navigation