The interdependency of protein-energy malnutrition, aging, and dysphagia

Advancing age is increasingly associated with confounding chronic and acute ailments, predisposing elderly individuals to conditions such as malnutrition and swallowing dysfunction. This enhanced susceptibility to malnutrition and dysphagia in this aging demographic lends itself to exacerbating, disabling conditions that may result in increased morbidity and mortality in the event of an aspiration episode. Early identification of substandard nutritional status and subsequent intervention in the elderly dysphagic population may circumvent the deleterious effects of malnutrition.