Prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenic dysphagia in elderly hospitalized patients: a retrospective cohort study based on data from a comprehensive geriatric assessment system

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenic Dysphagia (SD) is a relatively new concept, the prevalence of which has been reported abroad fluctuates greatly, and the risk factors need to be further explored.There is a lack of relevant research reports on this disease in older inpatients in China. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and related factors of Sarcopenic Dysphagia in older inpatients in China. METHODS: The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) datas were collected from January 2016 to February 2023 of one tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China. The datas including patients’ Body Mass Index (BMI), Daily Living Ability (ADL), Frailty Assessment, Mini Nutrition Assessment Scale (MNA), Chinese simplified Oral health Checklist, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5), Water Swallow Test (WST), etc.The prevalence rate of Sarcopenic Dysphagia was calculated by diagnostic algorithm. Risk factors were identified by univariate analysis and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3515 patients with 560,712 datas were extracted, and 3134 patients with 520,244 datas were analysised. Among them, 633 patients (mean age 83.9 ± 5.4 years, male 41.86%, female 58.14%) were diagnosed as possible Sarcopenic Dysphagia, and the prevalence was 20.6%. Univariate analysis showed that total of 20 risk factors of SD, such as increasing age, frailty, oral weakness, marital status, primary caregivers, psychology, etc. (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.2, p<0.001); BMI (OR: 0.2,95% CI: 0.2–0.3, p<0.001); frailty (OR: 11.9, 95% CI: 3.6–38.8, p<0.001); oral weakness (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1–1.2, p<0.001); primary caregivers (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2–2.3, p=0.006); ADL (OR: 6.6, 95% CI: 3.6–12.1, p<0.001); community activities (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.9, p.0.02); housework (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-1.0, p.0.04) were independent factors for SD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of SD in older inpatients is high, which is related to many risk factors. It is necessary to detect SD as early as possible in clinical field in order to take early rehabilitation intervention.