Timing of Dysphagia Screening in Alzheimer's Dementia

Feasibility of Oral Function Evaluation According to Dementia Severity in Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease

Oral function evaluation in older adults with dementia is important for determining appropriate and practical dietary support plans; however, it can be challenging due to their difficulties in comprehending instructions and cooperating during assessments. The feasibility of oral function evaluation has not been well studied. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the feasibility of oral function evaluation in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) according to Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's Disease (FAST) stages. In total, 428 older adults with AD (45 men and 383 women; mean age: 87.2 ± 6.2 years) were included. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine the prevalence of participants who were unable to perform oral function evaluations, including oral diadochokinesis (ODK), repeated saliva swallow test (RSST), and modified water swallow test (MWST). In comparison to the reference category (combined FAST stage 1-3), FAST stage 7 was associated with the infeasibility of ODK (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 26.7, 4.2-168.6), RSST (5.9, 2.2-16.1), and MWST (8.7, 1.6-48.5, respectively). Oral function evaluation is difficult in older adults with severe AD. Simpler and more practical swallowing function assessments and indicators that can be routinely observed are required.

Identification of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties for people living with early-stage dementia: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of dementia is increasing, bringing a range of challenges, such as eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) difficulties, that are associated with aspiration, which can be fatal. Early identification of EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia could prevent complications, but reliable indicators are needed to help develop pathways to support the diagnosis. Previous reviews of this area require updating.

AIMS

To identify reliable and clinically measurable indicators of EDS difficulty used in early-stage dementia.

METHODS & PROCEDURES

A systematic search was conducted using common databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychInfo). Articles reporting indicators of EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment were included. The reliability of included studies was critically appraised using the risk of bias tools. Study outcomes were narratively reviewed by considering the reliability, clinical measurability and applicability of EDS indicators to early-stage dementia.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS

Initial searches returned 2443 articles. After removing duplicates, limiting to English language and human studies, 1589 articles remained. After reviewing titles, 60 abstracts were reviewed, yielding 18 full-text articles. A total of 12 articles were excluded that did not report at least one indicator of EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia, or where the reported association was not strong. Six included studies that reported eight indicators of EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia (four studies including people with Alzheimer's disease). On the balance of measurability, reliability and applicability, the most promising indicators of EDS difficulty were: delayed oral transit, rinsing ability, sarcopenia and polypharmacy. Additional, less reliable and applicable indicators included: always opened lips and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment, especially in men. The delayed pharyngeal response is subjectively measured when instrumental assessment is not available and the 'candy sucking test' cannot be recommended because there is an inherent choking risk.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia can be highlighted by indicators that could be combined to create enhanced pathways to support the early identification of EDS difficulties for people living with early-stage dementia with a view to preventing complications and facilitating informed discussions regarding wishes in the event of further deterioration. Exploring the experiences of people living with dementia and their families' perspectives on potential indicators of EDS difficulty may add to the existing evidence base.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject Early identification of EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia may prevent complications, but more reliable and clinically measurable indicators of EDS difficulty are needed to help develop pathways to support diagnosis. What this paper adds to existing knowledge A comprehensive range of studies related to EDS identification in early-stage dementia have been selected and reviewed. Across six included studies, the most promising indicators of EDS difficulty in early-stage dementia included delayed oral transit, poor rinsing ability, presence of sarcopenia and polypharmacy. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study could help to develop pathways to support the early identification of EDS difficulties for people living with early-stage dementia with a view to preventing complications and facilitating informed discussions regarding wishes in the event of further deterioration.

Prevalence of nutrition disorders and nutrition-related conditions in older patients with Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUNDS

Alzheimer's disease is frequently encountered with nutrition-related conditions such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty, overnutrition, and micronutrient abnormalities in older patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nutrition disorders and nutrition-related conditions in the same patient group.

METHODS

A total of 253 older patients with Alzheimer's disease underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment, which included nutrition-related disorders, malnutrition via the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), frailty via the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2 criteria.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 79.8 ± 6.5 years, and 58.1% were women. In our patients, 64.8% had malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition; 38.3% had sarcopenia; 19.8% were prefrail; and 80.2% were frail. Malnutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia prevalence increased as the Alzheimer's disease stage progressed. Malnutrition was found to be significantly related with frailty scores via CFS (odds ratio [OR], 1.397; P = 0.0049) and muscle mass via fat-free mass index (FFMI) (OR, 0.793; P = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age, MNA-SF, and CFS were included in the model to detect the independent correlates of probable and confirmed sarcopenia. CFS was independently associated with probable and confirmed sarcopenia (OR, 1.822; P = 0.013; OR, 2.671; P = 0.001, respectively). Frailty was similarly related with FFMI (OR, 0.836; P = 0.031). Obesity was independently related with FFMI (OR, 0.688; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, nutrition disorders and nutrition-related conditions can present concurrently in patients with all stages of Alzheimer's disease; therefore, these frequent problems should be screened and diagnosed accordingly.

Chewing and Swallowing Abilities of Persons Living With Dementia: A Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties of Instruments

Background and Objectives

It is critical to use validated instruments to diagnose and manage chewing and swallowing problems of persons living with dementia. The study aimed to synthesize the characteristics and psychometric quality of instruments that assess the chewing and swallowing abilities of persons living with dementia.

Research Design and Methods

The systematic review was used to conduct this study. We searched 5 electric databases for records published from January 1, 1980, to July 8, 2022. Records were eligible if they included any instrument to assess chewing ability or swallowing ability in the dementia population. Eight characteristics of eligible instruments were extracted from the records: (1) development process, (2) operationalized concept/construct, (3) sample and setting, (4) administration method, (5) items, (6) scoring format/interpretation, (7) reliability, and (8) validity. The psychometric assessment for self-report and observational tool was used to evaluate 12 psychometric properties of eligible instruments.

Results

In total, 11,074 records were reviewed. Thirty-five eligible instruments, including observational tools, self-report questionnaires, and physiological instruments, were identified from 60 records. All 8 instruments assessing chewing ability were evaluated as having low psychometric quality, and only 3 out of 27 instruments assessing swallowing ability were evaluated as having moderate psychometric quality. Fifteen instruments were tested for only 1 type of psychometric property, limiting the overall evaluation of psychometric evidence.

Discussion and Implications

The study findings inform the use and adaptation of appropriate instruments for practice and research. All existing instruments warrant further validation in larger samples to expand use in diverse care settings. This review described and evaluated current instruments measuring chewing and swallowing abilities and potential use in research and clinical practice to plan for and evaluate the effectiveness of mealtime and oral care practice and reduce health-related negative outcomes of persons living with dementia.

Dysphagia is closely related to frailty in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION

Physical phenotype and the cumulative deficit model are two well-known concepts of frailty. One of the main components of frailty is loss of muscle mass and function, which may also include swallowing muscles, therefore is a risk factor for dysphagia. Since dysphagia is seen starting from the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), in this study we aimed to reveal the relationship between frailty and dysphagia and dysphagia-related quality of life through Swallow Quality of Life (SwalQoL) tool in patients with AD and compare them with cognitively intact older adults.

METHODS

Comprehensive geriatric assessment, dysphagia evaluation by Eating-Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and SwalQoL questionnaire, and frailty assessment via FRAIL and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) were performed on all 101 participants of the study. Thirty-five patients were cognitively intact, 36 patients were diagnosed with mild AD, and 30 patients were diagnosed with moderate AD.

RESULTS

Sex distribution was similar between the groups, however, there was a statistically significant age difference. The prevalence of frailty increased according to both frailty indexes as the cognitive status deteriorated. All parameters of SwalQoL except fear and sleep parameters deteriorated as cognitive status impaired. In quantile regression of the total score of the SwalQoL questionnaire and multivariable logistic regression of EAT-10, frailty, as defined by CFS and FRAIL, was associated with dysphagia and poor quality of life regardless of age, presence of dementia, as well as nutritional status.

CONCLUSION

Swallowing difficulties in AD negatively affects the quality of life, and it is closely related to frailty in mild-to-moderate AD.

Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study Features and Resting-State Functional MRI Brain Activity for Assessing Swallowing Differences in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Risk of Dysphagia

To examine the swallowing characteristics in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dysphagia risk and explore brain activity changes using regional homogeneity (ReHo) with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). We included 28 patients with MCI and dysphagia risk and 17 age-matched older adults. All participants underwent neurological, cognitive examinations, and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). We quantitatively analyzed the VFSS temporal and kinetic parameters of the 5- and 10-mL swallows. The participants underwent rs-fMRI, and the ReHo values were calculated. Differences in the swallowing physiology and rs-fMRI findings between participants with MCI and controls were analyzed. Correlation analyses were also conducted. Compared to the control group, patients with MCI and dysphagia risk had lower global cognition scores, longer 10-mL oral transit times (OTTs), and lower executive function scores. ReHo in the bilateral inferior occipital lobes (IOLs) and left prefrontal lobe decreased in patients with MCI and dysphagia risk compared to participants in the control group. In patients with MCI, the 10-mL OTT was negatively correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, and the ReHo values were positive correlated with quantitative temporal swallowing measurements using canonical correlation analysis. Mediation analysis revealed that the ReHo values of the left and right IOL acted as significant mediators between the MoCA score and the 10-mL OTT. We found that individuals with MCI and dysphagia risk, verified by reduced MoCA scores, demonstrated prolonged OTTs when swallowing larger boluses compared with age-matched controls. There was a negative correlation between the MoCA score and 10-mL OTT, which was partially mediated by the left and right IOL ReHo values, suggesting that functional changes in the IOLs and left prefrontal lobe associated with oral swallowing status and cognitive level in individuals with MCI and dysphagia risk.

Lower SMI is a risk factor for dysphagia in Japanese hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral and hip fracture: A retrospective study

Objectives

Many patients with osteoporotic fragile fracture often suffer from dysphagia that results in malnutrition, further deterioration of physical strength, and rehabilitation difficulties. This study aims to investigate the risk factors for dysphagia in hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral and/or hip fractures.

Methods

Between January 2020 and December 2021, 569 inpatients were managed for osteoporotic vertebral or hip fractures. Of these, 503 patients were analyzed and 66 were excluded as the required data could not be obtained or dysphagia with causative diseases such as cerebrovascular disease. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with dysphagia (P-group) and patients without dysphagia (N-group). We investigated gender, fracture site, age, systemic skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), bone mineral density (BMD), and body mass index (BMI) in early stage of hospitalization and studied their relationship with dysphagia.

Results

There were no significant differences in gender and fracture site between the 2 groups. A significant difference was observed in age, SMI, BMD, and BMI (P < 0.01). We performed a logistic regression analysis with the P-group as the objective variable and age, SMI, BMD, and BMI as explanatory variables. We divided objective groups into all patients, patients with vertebral fracture, patients with hip fracture, men, and women. SMI was an independent risk factor in all groups.

Conclusions

Lower SMI was a risk factor for dysphagia in hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral and hip fractures. We carefully observed swallowing function of patients with decreased SMI to maintain the nutritional status and prevent rehabilitation difficulties.

Pharmacological Management of Dysphagia in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dysphagia are important health and socioeconomic problems in the aging population. Currently, the medical treatment of dysphagia in AD patients remains insufficient, and there are significant gaps in the management and clinical needs to postpone tube feeding. Literatures published over the last 30 years were searched in the PubMed and Embase databases. All relevant and promising pharmacological management studies were included. Because of the heterogeneity in design and methodology, only narrative reports were mentioned. Nine studies were included with two case reports, two case series, and two observational and three randomized controlled trials. The key approaches and clinical problems related to dysphagia include onset pattern, dementia stage, review of offending drugs and polypharmacy, and comorbidities (cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, parkinsonism, depression, and anorexia). The corresponding strategies of pharmacological treatments are further proposed and discussed comprehensively, with transient receptor potential channel modulators as promising treatment. With the integration of adequate and potential pharmacomanagement, AD patients with dysphagia can achieve a good prognosis and postpone tube feeding to maintain a better quality of life. More rigorous studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of innovative strategies and develop targets for neurostimulation.

Management in severe dementia: recommendations of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology

ABSTRACT Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative dementias have a progressive course, impairing cognition, functional capacity, and behavior. Most studies have focused on AD. Severe dementia is associated with increased age, higher morbidity-mortality, and rising costs of care. It is fundamental to recognize that severe dementia is the longest period of progression, with patients living for many years in this stage. It is the most heterogeneous phase in the process, with different abilities and life expectancies. This practice guideline focuses on severe dementia to improve management and care in this stage of dementia. As it is a long period in the continuum of dementia, clinical practice should consider non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Multidisciplinary interventions (physical therapy, speech therapy, nutrition, nursing, and others) are essential, besides educational and support to caregivers.

Manejo das demências em fase avançada: recomendações do Departamento Científico de Neurologia Cognitiva e do Envelhecimento da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia

RESUMO A doença de Alzheimer (DA) e outras demências neurodegenerativas têm um curso progressivo com comprometimento da cognição, capacidade funcional e comportamento. A maioria dos estudos enfocou a DA. A demência grave está associada ao aumento da idade, maior morbimortalidade e aumento dos custos de cuidados. É fundamental reconhecer que a demência grave é o período mais longo de progressão, com o paciente vivendo muitos anos nesta fase. É a fase mais heterogênea do processo, com diferentes habilidades e expectativa de vida. Esta diretriz de prática concentra-se na demência grave para melhorar o manejo e o cuidado nessa fase da demência. Como um longo período no continuum da demência, as abordagens não farmacológicas e farmacológicas devem ser consideradas. Intervenções multidisciplinares (fisioterapia, fonoaudiologia, nutrição, enfermagem, entre outras) são essenciais, além de educacionais e de apoio aos cuidadores.

Dysphagia in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review

Dysphagia is described as a highly relevant comorbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is a scarcity of studies aiming at the characteristics and progression of dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify the specific characteristics, progression, and prevalence of dysphagia in AD.

METHODS

Publications were searched in the PubMed (MEDLINE), EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and BASE databases. Critical appraisal and evidence-level analysis were conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute and Effective Public Health Practice Project's (EPHPP) tools.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies were reviewed. Symptoms begin in the early stage of AD, as oral phase impairments, and progress to pharyngeal symptoms and swallowing apraxia in the later stages of AD. Dysphagia progresses, as AD, along a continuum, with severity depending on individual variability. There were no studies found on prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysphagia is a complex and important comorbidity in AD that impacts the quality of life. No recent publications on prevalence may imply that is not being coded as a potential cause for pneumonia deaths in AD.

Changes in Speech Range Profile Are Associated with Cognitive Impairment

Background and Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the variations in the speech range profile (SRP) of patients affected by cognitive decline.

Methods

We collected the data of patients managed for suspected voice and speech disorders, and suspected cognitive impairment. Patients underwent an Ear Nose and Throat evaluation and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). To obtain SRP, we asked the patients to read 18 sentences twice, at their most comfortable pitch and loudness as they would do in daily conversation, and recorded their voice on to computer software.

Results

The study included 61 patients. The relationship between the MMSE score and SRP parameters was established. Increased severity of the MMSE score resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the average values of the semitones to the phonetogram, and the medium and maximum sound pressure levels (p<0.001). The maximum predictivity of MMSE was based on the highly significant values of semitones (p<0.001) and the maximum sound pressure levels (p=0.010).

Conclusions

The differences in SRP between the various groups were analyzed. Specifically, the SRP value decreased with increasing severity of cognitive decline. SRP was useful in highlighting the relationship between all cognitive declines tested and speech.

Risk of sarcopenia in hospitalized patients and related clinical factors: a multicenter study from Turkey

PURPOSE

To investigate the risk of sarcopenia in hospitalized older patients and to assess the associations between sarcopenia risk and health care outcomes including dependency, malnutrition, and dysphagia.

METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional study was a part of the annual National Prevalence Measurement of Quality of Care (LPZ) in Turkey. Hospitalized patients age 65 and older were included in the study. The SARC-F was used to assess risk of sarcopenia. Dependency was appraised according to the Care Dependency Scale (CDS). Nutritional status was established with respect to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Dysphagia was screened by two structured questions.

RESULTS

A total of 492 patients were included in the analysis. Two hundred and forty patients (48.8%) were at risk of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia risk was more prevalent among women (p = 0.007) and patients with risk of sarcopenia were older (p < 0.001). Hospital stay was longer and malnutrition and dysphagia were more prevalent in patients with sarcopenia risk than without (all p < 0.001). All nutritional interventions were applied mostly to patients with sarcopenia risk than without. In multivariate analysis, advanced age (OR: 1.068, CI 1.032-1.104, p < 0.001), female gender (OR: 2.414, CI 1.510-3.857, p < 0.001), and dependency (OR: 5.022, CI 2.922-8.632, p < 0.001) were independently associated with sarcopenia risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia risk is related with unfavorable outcomes in hospitalized patients. Primarily older female patients are at risk for sarcopenia. It is important to recognize sarcopenia at an early stage and to prevent its progression, before dependency develops. The SARC-F may be a useful tool for screening sarcopenia risk in hospitalized patients.

State of the evidence about rehabilitation interventions in patients with dysphagia

INTRODUCTION

Rather than a separate nosological entity, dysphagia must be considered as a symptom of other pathological conditions, which afflicts patients admitted to numerous medical departments (rehabilitation, neurology, geriatrics, internal medicine, etc.) These disorders share the need for timely access to quality care and multidisciplinary treatment, including rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to conduct a review of the current guidelines' recommendations in the literature and provide recommendations on the rehabilitative management of the patient with dysphagia.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The search was carried out through the main databases (Medline, PEDro, Cochrane Database and Google Scholar). All the articles concerning rehabilitation management of dysphagia, published in the last 10 years, have been included.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Bibliographic research has provided thirteen guidelines. The literature analysed focuses mainly on the screening, the evaluation and the planning of multidisciplinary treatment. The literature agrees in recommending as cornerstones in the treatment of the dysphagic patient dietary changes, rehabilitation training (particularly muscle strengthening exercises and coordination) and early use of alternative nutrition in patients severely compromised.

CONCLUSIONS

The dysphagic patient requires the deployment of a range of skills by a multiprofessional and multi-disciplinary team. Speech and language pathologists in cooperation with specialists of rehabilitation have the task of managing the various stages, ranging from the early identification of the symptom to the setting of the treatment plan. Due to the lack of standardized protocols, it is necessary to implement the research path, especially regarding rehabilitation intervention.

The Impact of Diet Type on Weight Loss in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

OBJECTIVES

To compare differences in weight loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease on normal, diabetic, or texture-modified diets.

METHODS

This prospective interventional study examined the data of patients with Alzheimer's disease who were admitted to a long-term care hospital in Japan from February to April 2013. Dietary elements and weight loss over a 3-month period were examined. Results: Of the 75 patients examined, 6 were on a normal diet, 10 were on a diabetic diet, and 59 were on a texture-modified diet. Weight loss was significantly associated with body weight, Mini Nutritional Assessment®, and diet type. In the non-malnourished patients, there was a significant difference between the three types of diets in terms of eating rate and weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Diet type was independently associated with weight loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Research using larger sample sizes is necessary to eliminate the differences between these diet types.

The associations of the number of medications and the use of anticholinergics with recovery from tubal feeding: a longitudinal hospital-based study

Background

Several medications, such as anticholinergics, are considered to affect the swallowing function adversely; however, whether or not anticholinergics or polypharmacy should be avoided to prevent eating dysfunction in elderly populations remains unclear. We therefore examined whether or not the number of medications or the use of anticholinergics was associated with recovery from tubal feeding in elderly inpatients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective 1-year observation study in 95 Japanese hospitalized patients (83.3 ± 9.7 years old) receiving nutrition through a feeding tube. The anticholinergic cognitive burden scale (ACBs) was used as an index for quantifying the anticholinergic action.

Results

Thirty-six (37.9%) subjects recovered from tubal to oral feeding during the observation period. The logistic regression models showed that an increased number of prescribed medications and an increase in ACBs decreased the incidence of recovery from tubal feeding (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.66 [0.50–0.87], P = 0.003 and 0.52 [0.29–0.92], P = 0.024, respectively). Furthermore, the cumulative incidence of recovery from tubal feeding was significantly lower in the subjects who were given an additional ≥3 medications during the observation period than in those who were not (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.08 [0.01–0.59], P = 0.014).

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that an increased exposure to medications, especially anticholinergics, may be an important factor interfering with recovery from tubal feeding in hospitalized elderly patients.

Relationship Between Dysphagia and Sarcopenia with Comprehensive Geriatric Evaluation

Oropharyngeal dysphagia has features of geriatric syndromes and is strongly associated with sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the association between dysphagia and sarcopenia, in a practical way, accompanied by comprehensive geriatric assessment. Dysphagia and sarcopenia were defined by the EAT-10 and SARC-F questionnaires, respectively. Cognition and mood, was evaluated by the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Physical performance was assessed by the Timed up and Go Test (TUG) and muscle strength was determined by Hand Grip Strength (HGS). Functionality was stated by Katz and Lawton Indexes. Serum levels of hemoglobin, triglyceride, albumin, and total cholesterol were recorded. A total of 512 (151 male/361 female) patients age 60 and older were included in the study. Prevalences of dysphagia and sarcopenia were 23% and 40.6%, respectively. In multivariate analysis sarcopenia (OR:2.596, p = 0.008), depressive symptoms (OR:1.115, p < 0.001), and lower KATZ scores (OR:0.810, p = 0.036) were independently related with dysphagia. Dysphagic patients with sarcopenia had lower scores on the Katz and Lawton scales (p < 0.001, r_pb = 0.380 and p < 0.001, r_pb = 0.447 respectively) and TUG performances were worse (p = 0.009, r_pb = - 0.254). Serum hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly low in dysphagic patients with sarcopenia (p < 0.001, r_pb = 0.345, p = 0.008, r_pb = 0.243). Dysphagia is independently associated with sarcopenia, depressive symptoms, and functionality. Dysphagia coexist with sarcopenia is associated with worse clinical consequences than without sarcopenia.