Nutritional status and dysphagia risk among community-dwelling frail older adults

J Nutr Health Aging. 2014 Apr;18(4):352-7. doi: 10.1007/s12603-014-0025-3.

Abstract

Objectives: Although the presence of dysphagia is a key determinant of nutritional status among older adults, few studies have focused on the association between malnutrition and dysphagia risk in community-dwelling frail older adults. This study estimated the prevalence of malnutrition and quantified the association between malnutrition and dysphagia risk among community-dwelling older Japanese adults requiring long-term care.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: This study was conducted with the cooperation of the Japan Dental Association and local dental associations in all 47 prefectures from January to February 2012.

Participants: Individuals aged ≥65 years capable of oral nutrient intake who were living at home and receiving home dental care and treatment.

Measurements: Individual demographic characteristics and factors associated with health loss-related functional decline were obtained through interviews by home-visit dentists and self-administered questionnaires. Nutritional status and dysphagia risk were evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form and the Dysphagia Risk Assessment for the Community-dwelling Elderly.

Results: Among 874 respondents (345 men and 529 women), 24.6% were malnourished, 67.4% were at risk of malnutrition, and 8.0% were well nourished. Dysphagia risk was related to an increased likelihood of malnutrition at an old age, even after adjusting for covariates (PR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.01-1.67).

Conclusion: Malnutrition is highly prevalent among community-dwelling frail older adults, and dysphagia risk is independently associated with malnutrition. Dysphagia may be an important predictor of malnutrition progression in aged populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Deglutition Disorders / complications
  • Deglutition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly / statistics & numerical data*
  • Geriatric Assessment*
  • Home Care Services
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / complications
  • Malnutrition / diagnosis
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology*
  • Nutrition Assessment*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Prevalence
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Risk Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires