[Role of the nutritional support team in the management of dysphagia]

Dysphagia is a highly prevalent symptom, which may be due to multiple disease processes, both structural and functional, and located at the oropharyngeal or esophageal level. Oropharyngeal dysphagia can cause malnutrition even in 1/3 of patients as a result of alterations in the efficiency of swallowing and cause changes in the security of swallowing (penetration and aspiration) in up to 2/3 of the patients who present it, with high risk of aspiration pneumonia and respiratory infections. In neurological, elderly or institutionalized patients its prevalence may range from 30 to 60%, with different degrees of severity that may become necessary artificial nutrition. It is also related to greater disability, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical and the establishment of an effective treatment that includes postural exercises, nutritional support and rehabilitation. All this wouldn't be possible without a nutritional team that takes part of the multidisciplinary team patients with dysphagia required. It is the only way to ensure a longterm care to these patients in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality.