Dysphagia and its consequences in the elderly.

This investigation was designed to study to what extent dysphagia in the elderly is accompanied by other chest symptoms and if it leads to a reduction in body weight and quality of life. To this end 796 persons, randomly taken from a population register, replied to a questionnaire concerning swallowing difficulties and other chest symptoms. Chest pain, heartburn, and regurgitation occurred significantly more frequently in subjects who admitted feelings of obstruction in the throat or chest during the ingestion of food (p less than 0.001) than in the rest, as did so-called heart problems (p less than 0.05). People with dysphagia had more often gained weight over the last 5 years than people without dysphagia (p less than 0.05). Psychosocial problems in those with dysphagia were given as anxiety at mealtimes and the wish to eat alone. Of those with dysphagia, 40% had consulted a physician, but despite this these patients had as many problems as those who had not seen a doctor. It is apparent that difficulty in swallowing in the elderly leads to physical and psychosocial problems that may reduce their quality of life.