engleski

Prevalence of swallowing disorders and malnutrition among nursing home residents

Introduction Physiology of swallowing changes with aging. Swallowing disorders especially in elderly may lead to malnutrition or a disabling condition and may cause the inability of individual to self care from himself. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of swallowing disorders and relate them to the nutritional status and possible malnutrition in the nursing homes residents. Materials and Methods The study included n=48 nursing home residents 82.1±6.4 years ; body mass index (BMI) 31.5±10 kg/m2 ; 69% females. The swallowing abilities and nutritional status were assessed by validated questionnaires: The 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Modified Swallowing Assessment (MSA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short (MNA). Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short (MNA-SF) and Long Form (MNA-LF). Results Results of EAT-10 and MSA showed that 33% and 44% residents had difficulty swallowing, respectively. Based on the MNA®-SF, the prevalence of malnutrition was 8% and the risk for malnutrition was 42%. The prevalence of well nourished participants was 50%. However, administering the full MNA®-LFshowed the prevalence of malnutrition of 4% and risk for malnutrition of 54%. The prevalence of well nourished participants was 42%. Correlation analyses showed significant negative relations between EAT-10 and MNA®-LF (r=-0.429, p<0.01) and EAT-10 and MNA®-SF (r=-0.343, p<0.05) Conclusion Based on our results, residents with swallowing problems were at higher risk of malnutrition, indicating that dysphagia may lead to malnutrition or inadequate nutritional status among elderly nursing homes residents. Use of the full MNA®- LF, might be more efficient for assessing nutritional status in nursing home residents.

dysphagia, swallowing disorders, malnutrition, elderly, nursing home

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