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

Objectives Dysphagia is common in older adults. However, there are no current estimates of dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults those receiving meal support. It is unknown whether dysphagia is associated with other measures of physical function (activities of daily living [ADL] ability or nutrition status). The study purposes were to determine the prevalence of self-reported dysphagia and to identify factors associated with self-reported dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults receiving meal support. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting and Participants 476 community-dwelling older adults (78.5 +/- 0.51 years) across five Elder Nutrition Program meal services in Wisconsin participated in the study. Measurements Data were collected through administration of validated ADL and nutrition questionnaires (nutritional status, functional status with ADLs, chewing ability, dental conditions, and prior diagnoses of dysphagia, pneumonia, and dementia). For self-reported dysphagia, the validated 10-item eating assessment tool (EAT-10) was used. Results The prevalence of self-reported dysphagia (EAT-10 score of >= 3) was 20.4%. Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that poor nutritional status (OR=3.1, p=0.04), difficulty chewing (OR=2.2, p=0.03), prior dysphagia diagnosis (OR=34.8, p<0.001), prior pneumonia diagnosis (OR=2.1, p=0.04), and meal service site (OR=2.68, p=0.02) were associated with self-reported dysphagia. Conclusion Approximately one in five community-dwelling older adults receiving meal support had self-reported dysphagia. Increased risk for poor nutrition, reduced chewing ability, prior dysphagia and pneumonia diagnosis, and meal service site were identified as factors associated with dysphagia on the EAT-10. Results highlight the need for further studies across more sites to identify dysphagia risk indicators in community-dwelling older adults receiving meal support state-wide.

Automated summary

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-reported dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults receiving meal support and identify associated factors. Results showed approximately one in five community-dwelling older adults had self-reported dysphagia, with factors such as poor nutritional status, difficulty chewing, prior dysphagia and pneumonia diagnosis, and meal service site being associated with dysphagia.