Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Polatli Duatepe State Hospital.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health of Sciences, Diskapi Training and Research Hospital.
Int J Rehabil Res. 2021 Dec 1;44(4):336-342. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000494.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in older adults. It has been reported in the literature that 11-68% of older adults experience swallowing difficulties. This study aimed to investigate the presence of dysphagia in older adults, whether this dysphagia is related to age (presbyphagia) or sarcopenia by comparing it with adults. Two hundred twenty-five patients were included in this cross-sectional study. The participants were divided into two groups by age as 'adults' and 'older adults'. Sarcopenia, dysphagia and malnutrition evaluations were performed. Older adult and adult groups were compared in terms of malnutrition, dysphagia and sarcopenia. The number of patients with dysphagia was significantly higher (P = 0.007) in the older adults. In older adults, all sarcopenic evaluation parameters were found significantly lower than adults (P < 0.05). The number of older adults with malnutrition was significantly lower in patients with normal swallowing (P < 0.05). The swallowing difficulty can be detected in older adults even if it does not cause any complaint. While most swallowing disorders may be due to age-related changes, about a third may be accompanied by sarcopenia.
口咽吞咽困难是老年人死亡和发病的重要原因。有文献报道，11%-68%的老年人存在吞咽困难。本研究旨在通过与成年人比较，调查老年人中吞咽困难的发生情况，以及这种吞咽困难是否与年龄（衰老性吞咽困难）或肌少症有关。本横断面研究纳入了 225 名患者。参与者按年龄分为“成年人”和“老年人”两组。进行了肌少症、吞咽困难和营养不良评估。比较了老年人和成年人在营养不良、吞咽困难和肌少症方面的差异。老年人中吞咽困难的患者明显更多（P=0.007）。老年人的所有肌少症评估参数均明显低于成年人（P<0.05）。吞咽正常的老年人中营养不良患者的数量明显减少（P<0.05）。即使没有任何主诉，也能在老年人中检测到吞咽困难。虽然大多数吞咽障碍可能是由于与年龄相关的变化引起的，但约三分之一可能伴有肌少症。
