The importance of dysphagia screening and nutritional assessment in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective:To determine frequency of dysphagia risk and associated factors in hospitalized patients as well as to evaluate nutritional status by using different methods and correlate the status with scores of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10).Methods:This was a cross-sectional study including 909 inpatients of a philanthropic hospital. For the diagnosis of dysphagia we used an adapted and validated Brazilian version of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). The nutritional status was evaluated through the subjective global assessment, and anthropometric measurements included weight, calf and arm circumference, and knee height. The Mann-Whitney test, associations using the Pearson’s χ2 and Spearman’s correlation were used to verify differences between the groups.Results:The prevalence of dysphagia risk was 10.5%, and aging was the associated factor with this condition. Patients at risk presented lower values of arm and calf circumference, variables that correlated inversely with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score. Malnutrition was observed in 13.2% of patients based on the subjective global assessment and in 15.2% based on the Body Mass Index.Conclusion:Screening for dysphagia and malnutrition should be introduced in hospitals routine to avoid or minimize damages caused by dysphagia or malnutrition, especially among older people.

Relationship Between Oral Function Measurement and Malnutrition Following Oral Cancer Treatment: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

“…Since it is well known that tongue pressure and masticatory function decrease with resection, especially in patients with oral cancer, our results also support the results of previous studies [20,21]. In addition, a cross-sectional study of 909 hospitalized patients showed an association between EAT-10 levels and nutritional status, and the results of this study were similar [22]. Therefore, malnutrition may occur due to type I postoperative oral dysfunction (transport type).…”

Is There a Correlation Between NRS-2002 and EAT-10 Score?

“…In the same study, in addition to low BMI (<22 kg/m 2 ), insufficient oral intake, chewing problems, immobility, advanced age, and female gender were cited among the most significant risk factors for malnutrition 30. Andrade et al5 conducted a study of 909 hospitalized patients in Portugal and evaluated the risk of dysphagia with the EAT-10 scale and nutritional status with the SGA. The risk of dysphagia was determined to be 10.5% and that of malnutrition was reported as 13.2% 5.…”

“…Andrade et al5 conducted a study of 909 hospitalized patients in Portugal and evaluated the risk of dysphagia with the EAT-10 scale and nutritional status with the SGA. The risk of dysphagia was determined to be 10.5% and that of malnutrition was reported as 13.2% 5. The authors noted that the risk of dysphagia and malnutrition increased especially with age.…”

“…Therefore, patients with malnutrition should also be evaluated for dysphagia and patients with dysphagia should be monitored because of their risk of developing malnutrition. Determining the coexistence of malnutrition and dysphagia is invaluable for identifying the extent to which swallowing impairment contributes to poor food intake in LTC 5…”

Estado nutricional de idosos com doença de Parkinson e seus fatores associados: uma revisão integrativa

“…It is also associated with reduced quality of life, social isolation, dehydration, malnutrition, and aspiration pneumonia 35 . The latter is one of the leading causes of death in PD 36 . Changes related to dysphagia have a direct influence on the nutritional status, since changes in food consistency and the difficulty of ingestion itself can hinder dietary adjustments 36 .…”