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Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia symptoms in community-dwelling older adults: A community survey

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Abstract

Background

Dysphagia is a common clinical condition in older adults with significant implications for health and quality of life (QOL). However, its prevalence and associated factors in the Indian community-dwelling older adults remain understudied. The present study aims at identifying the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia symptoms in Indian community-dwelling older adults and identifying the age-related comorbid variables associated with an increased risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia in this population.

Methods

Total 384 community-dwelling older adults (60 years of age or older) who were independent in performing daily activities were included in the present study. The Malayalam version of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) questionnaire was used to assess individuals at risk for dysphagia. Additionally, they also completed a self-report questionnaire addressing age-related comorbid variables associated with an increased risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Result

Using the Malayalam version of the EAT-10, the present study identified the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia symptoms in 9.9% of community-dwelling older adults. Among the EAT-10 symptoms, cough while/after swallowing, difficulty swallowing solids and difficulty swallowing liquids were the most prevalent symptoms reported by participants. Increase in age and age-related comorbidities such as tooth loss, history of heart failure and digestive diseases were found to be significantly associated with the reporting of risk for dysphagia symptoms.

Conclusion

As dysphagia symptoms significantly impact the social, psychological and QOL of community-dwelling older adults, it is important to develop awareness about these symptoms among older adults, caretakers and physicians. Early detection and appropriate management of community-dwelling older adults at risk for dysphagia can contribute to better health outcomes and improved QOL.

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Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study included in this article are not publicly available. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the participants for their valuable time and contribution.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Speech and Hearing, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, India

    C. S. Agnes & Usha Devadas

  2. Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University (Deemed to Be University), Mangalore, 575 018, India

    Srikanth Nayak

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Contributions

CSA and UD contributed to the study’s design and conducted the collection and processing of data. UD, CSA and SN contributed to the literature review and prepared the initial version of this paper. UD and SN provided critical revisions regarding important aspects of the intellectual content such as in literature review and the discussion section; CSA, SN and UD conducted the analysis and contributed to interpreting the results. CSA, SN and UD gave the approval for the publication of the final version of this paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Usha Devadas.

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Conflict of interest

CSA, SN and UD declare no competing interests.

Ethics statement

The study was performed conforming to the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 and 2008 concerning human and animal rights, and the authors followed the policy concerning informed consent as shown on Springer.com.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Kasturba Medical College and Kasturba Hospital Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC: 504/2021), Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

Consent to participate

Informed written consent to participate in the study was obtained from all participants.

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Written consent was obtained from all participants.

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The authors are solely responsible for the data and the contents of the paper. In no way, the Honorary Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board Members, the Indian Society of Gastroenterology or the printer/publishers are responsible for the results/findings and content of this article.

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Appendices

Appendix 1. Questionnaire on demographic and age-related comorbidities (English)

figure bfigure b

Appendix 2. Questionnaire on demographic and age-related comorbidities (Malayalam)

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Agnes, C.S., Nayak, S. & Devadas, U. Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia symptoms in community-dwelling older adults: A community survey. Indian J Gastroenterol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-023-01476-z

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