Exploring Factors Related to Dysphagia Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is common but often underdiagnosed among community-dwelling older adults, particularly those without neurological, neuromuscular, or structural disorders. This scoping review aimed to map the existing evidence on factors related to dysphagia in this population. The review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Embase, Ovid-MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched up to June 2025, with search strategies developed in consultation with a professional librarian. Eligibility criteria were predefined by the research team based on the review objective and applied independently by two reviewers. Studies were included if they involved community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years and reported multivariate analyses of factors related to dysphagia. Dysphagia was identified using self-reported instruments, interviews, or swallowing tests. Of 1,043 records identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Advanced age, comorbidities (including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases), poor oral health (e.g., tooth loss, reduced mastication ability, and oral dryness), sarcopenia and frailty, pain, and poor nutritional status were significantly related to dysphagia. The identified factors were grouped into five categories: demographic factors, health conditions, oral health and function, physical and functional status, and psychosocial factors. These findings indicate that dysphagia among community-dwelling older adults is multifactorial. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and standardized assessments to clarify causal relationships and inform targeted prevention strategies aimed at improving quality of life.