Factors Associated with Self-Reported Dysphagia in Older Adults Receiving Meal Support

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is prevalent in older adults.
• Estimates of dysphagia among community-dwelling seniors receiving meal support are lacking.
• The association between dysphagia and physical function (ADL ability, nutrition status) is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of self-reported dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults receiving meal support.
• To identify factors associated with self-reported dysphagia in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 476 older adults (mean age 78.5 years) from five Elder Nutrition Program meal services in Wisconsin.
• Validated questionnaires assessed activities of daily living (ADL), nutritional status, chewing ability, dental conditions, and prior diagnoses.
• The 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was used to measure self-reported dysphagia.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of self-reported dysphagia (EAT-10 score ≥ 3) was 20.4%.
• Factors associated with dysphagia included poor nutritional status (OR=3.1), difficulty chewing (OR=2.2), prior dysphagia diagnosis (OR=34.8), prior pneumonia diagnosis (OR=2.1), and meal service site (OR=2.68).
• All associations were statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Nearly one in five older adults receiving meal support reported dysphagia.
• Key risk indicators for dysphagia include poor nutrition, impaired chewing, and a history of dysphagia or pneumonia.
• Further multi-site research is needed to identify dysphagia risk indicators statewide in this demographic.