Changes in etiology and severity of dysphagia with aging

SARS-CoV-2 and Dysphagia: A Retrospective Analysis of COVID-19 Patients with Swallowing Disorders

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 can lead to impairment of neural networks involved in swallowing, since the act of swallowing is coordinated and performed by a diffuse brain network involving peripheral nerves and muscles. Dysphagia has been identified as a risk and predictive factor for the severest form of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between swallowing disorders and COVID-19 in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

METHODS

We collected demographic data, medical information specific to dysphagia and data on medical treatments of patients with COVID-19.

RESULTS

A total of 43 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty (46%) were evaluated positive for dysphagia and 23 (54%) were evaluated negative. Neurocognitive disorders and diabetes were mostly associated with patients who resulted positive for dysphagia. Respiratory impairment caused by COVID-19 seems to be a cause of dysphagia, since all patients who needed oxygen-therapy developed symptoms of dysphagia, unlike patients who did not. In the dysphagic group, alteration of the swallowing trigger resulted in the severest form of dysphagia. An association was found between the severest form of COVID-19 and dysphagia. This group consisted predominantly of males with longer hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of COVID-19 patients at risk for dysphagia is crucial for better patient management.

Characteristics of post-stroke dysphagia: A retrospective study based on FEES

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the characteristics of dysphagia in stroke patients with different lesion sites and explore the factors that impact the duration of nasogastric tube after post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).

METHODS

Patients with PSD were screened for analysis. Stroke types and lesion sites were confirmed using MRI or CT scans. Included patients were categorized into two groups: supratentorial stroke group (including lobar and deep intracerebral stroke subgroups) and infratentorial stroke group (including brainstem and cerebellar stroke subgroups). Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), Penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), Yale pharyngeal residue (PR) severity rating scale, Functional oral intake scale (FOIS), Murray secretion severity rating scale (MSS), laryngopharyngeal sensation, and vocal fold mobility were investigated to assess the swallowing function.

RESULTS

A total of 94 patients were included in the final analysis. Significant differences were found in PR scores (p < .001), PAS scores (p < .05), MSS scores (p < .05), and vocal fold mobility (p < .001) between infratentorial and supratentorial stroke groups. Moreover, lobar stroke showed significantly higher PR scores compared to the deep intracerebral stroke group (p < .05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated significant differences in the duration of nasogastric tube placement among the following groups: infratentorial versus supratentorial stroke, PAS ≤ 5 versus PAS > 5, PR ≥ 3 versus PR < 3, and normal vocal fold mobility versus vocal fold motion impairment group (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The infratentorial stroke may lead to worse swallowing function as compared to a supratentorial stroke. Additionally, patients with infratentorial stroke, PAS > 5, PR ≥ 3, or vocal fold motion impairment may contribute to a longer duration of nasogastric tube placement.

Demographic and clinical factors associated with recovery of poststroke dysphagia: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Poststroke dysphagia (PSD) recovery depends on various factors. We aimed to provide evidence concerning predictive variables for the recovery of PSD.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, VIP database of Chinese periodicals, Chinese biomedical literature service system (SinoMed), and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched up to September 21, 2022. According to the inclusion criteria, the literature searched in the database was screened. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was performed to identify the factors prognostic for PSD.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were eligible, and pooled analyses were allowed for 12 potential prognostic factors. We identified older age, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, lower activities of daily living (ADL) score, lower body mass index (BMI), severe dysphagia on admission, aspiration, brainstem stroke, severe cognitive impairment, and bilateral hemispheric stroke were negative factors for the recovery of PSD, while early intervention and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) = 0 before onset were protective factors for the recovery of PSD. There was no significant association between stroke type and prognosis of PSD.

CONCLUSION

Prognostic factors of PSD summarized in this meta-analysis could be useful for developing reasonable treatment plan to better promote recovery of swallowing function after stroke.

Prevalence and management of dysphagia in nursing home residents in Europe and Israel: the SHELTER Project

Background

Dysphagia is a frequent condition in older nursing home residents (NHRs) which may cause malnutrition and death. Nevertheless, its prevalence is still underestimated and there is still debate about the appropriateness and efficacy of artificial nutrition (AN) in subjects with severe dysphagia. The aim is to assess the prevalence of dysphagia in European and Israeli NHRs, its association with mortality, and the relationship of different nutritional interventions, i.e. texture modified diets and AN—with weight loss and mortality.

Methods

A prospective observational study of 3451 European and Israeli NHRs older than 65 years, participating in the SHELTER study from 2009 to 2011, at baseline and after 12 months. All residents underwent a standardized comprehensive evaluation using the interRAI Long Term Care Facility (LTCF). Cognitive status was assessed using the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS), functional status using Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Hierarchy scale. Trained staff assessed dysphagia at baseline by clinical observation. Data on weight loss were collected for all participants at baseline and after 12 months. Deaths were registered by NH staff.

Results

The prevalence of dysphagia was 30.3%. During the one-year follow-up, the mortality rate in subjects with dysphagia was significantly higher compared with that of non-dysphagic subjects (31.3% vs 17.0%,p = 0,001). The multivariate analysis showed that NHRs with dysphagia had 58.0% higher risk of death within 1 year compared with non-dysphagic subjects (OR 1.58, 95% CI, 1.31–1.91). The majority of NHRs with dysphagia were prescribed texture modified diets (90.6%), while AN was used in less than 10% of subjects. No statistically significant difference was found concerning weight loss and mortality after 12 months following the two different nutritional treatments.

Conclusions

Dysphagia is prevalent among NHRs and it is associated with increased mortality, independent of the nutritional intervention used. Noticeably, after 12 months of nutritional intervention, NHRs treated with AN had similar mortality and weight loss compared to those who were treated with texture modified diets, despite the clinical conditions of patients on AN were more compromised.

Characteristics of dysphagia among different lesion sites of stroke: A retrospective study

Objective

This study aims to compare the characteristics of dysphagia among different lesion sites and explore the possible risk factors that are relevant to penetration and aspiration after stroke.

Materials and methods

Data on patients with post-stroke dysphagia were collected. Major measures of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study included pharyngeal transit duration (PTD), pharyngeal response duration (PRD), soft palate elevation duration (SED), stage transition duration (STD), hyoid bone anterior-horizontal displacement (HAD), hyoid bone superior-horizontal displacement (HSD), upper esophageal sphincter opening (UESO), Pharyngeal Residual Grade (PRG), and Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS). Included patients were divided into supratentorial (deep or lobar intracerebral) and infratentorial stroke groups. The Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to test the difference and the correlation between those measures. Time-to-event endpoints (oral feeding) were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 75 patients were included in this study. Significant differences were demonstrated in PTD, PRD, SED, STD, HAD, HSD, UESO, PAS, and PRG between supratentorial and infratentorial stroke groups (p < 0.05). The PRG score of the lobar intracerebral subgroup was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the deep intracerebral and lobar + deep intracerebral stroke subgroups, while HSD was significantly shorter (p < 0.01). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that PAS was related to PTD, PRG, HAD, and UESO (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HAD and PRG may be risk factors for penetration and aspiration (p < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier survival plot showed that there was a significant difference in time to oral feeding between supratentorial and infratentorial stroke groups (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Infratentorial stroke may lead to worse swallowing function as compared with supratentorial stroke, and lobar intracerebral stroke may be worse than deep intracerebral stroke. Suitable preventive measures may be considered for patients with higher PRG scores and shorter HSD to avoid penetration and aspiration.

Factors and Outcomes Associated With Dysphagia in Hospitalized Persons With Dementia

OBJECTIVES

Dysphagia is prevalent in older adults with dementia, particularly in the acute care setting. The objective of this study was to use an innovative approach to extract a more representative sample of patients with dysphagia from the electronic health record (EHR) to determine patient characteristics, hospital practices, and outcomes associated with dysphagia in hospitalized persons with dementia.

DESIGN

A retrospective study of hospitalized adults (aged ≥65 years) with dementia was conducted in 7 hospitals across the greater New York metropolitan area.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data were obtained from the inpatient EHR with the following inclusion criteria: age ≥65 years; admitted to one of 7 health system hospitals between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019; and documented past medical diagnosis of dementia (based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision).

METHODS

A diagnosis of dysphagia was defined as nurse documentation of a positive bedside swallow screening, nurse documentation of "difficulty swallowing" as reason for not performing bedside swallow screening, and physician documentation of a dysphagia diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of adults with dementia (N = 8637), the average age was 84.5 years, 61.6% were female, and 18.1% were Black and 9.3% Hispanic. Dysphagia was identified in 41.8% (n = 3610). In multivariable models, dysphagia was associated with invasive mechanical ventilation [odds ratio (OR) 4.53, 95% CI 3.55-5.78], delirium (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.40-1.68), increased length of stay (B = 3.29, 95% CI 2.98-3.60), and mortality (OR 4.44, 95% CI 3.54-5.55).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Given its high prevalence, underrecognition, and associated poor outcomes, improving large-scale dysphagia identification can impact clinical care and advance research in hospitalized persons with dementia.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older patients with hip fracture

BACKGROUND

oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and hip fracture are common problems in older patients, both associated with important complications.

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this study was to measure the prevalence and identify the main risk factors of dysphagia in older patients with hip fracture.

DESIGN

a prospective study in an orthogeriatric unit of a university hospital over 10 months.

METHODS

a total of 320 patients (mean age 86.2 years, 73.4% women) were assessed for dysphagia within 72 hours post-surgery using the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test. Geriatric assessment, hip fracture management and complications were examined to determine their relationship with the presence of OD.

RESULTS

dysphagia was present in 176 (55%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of delirium during hospitalization and the inability to perform instrumental activities of daily living before admission were associated with OD.

CONCLUSIONS

the prevalence of OD is high in hip fracture patients. Objective dysphagia assessment should be routinely included as part of the geriatric assessment of such patients.

Heterogeneity in functional status among moderately frail older adults: improving predictive performance using a modified approach of subgrouping the Clinical Frailty Scale

Aims

To establish if dependency in basic activities of daily living (bADL) amongst moderately frail older adults predict poorer health outcomes including mortality and institutionalisation. We also examined the utility of subgrouping category 6 of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) by level of functional dependency to improve predictive performance.

Findings

We observed a wider range in functional dependency among CFS 6 patients when compared to other frail categories. Incorporating CFS 6 subcategories based on bADL functional status increased predictive performance for longitudinal adverse outcomes compared with the original CFS scoring.

Message

This study corroborates the heterogeneity of bADL functional status in CFS 6 individuals and validates the use of a modified approach to subgrouping the CFS via bADL dependency for improved predictive performance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s41999-020-00418-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Purpose

Moderately frail individuals [Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) 6] demonstrate heterogeneity in basic activities of daily living (bADL). We aimed to establish whether functional dependency in moderate frailty predicts poorer outcomes and examined the utility of subgrouping the CFS in predicting mortality and institutionalisation.

Methods

We prospectively studied 201 hospitalised frail patients (89.5 ± 4.7 years, female 70.1%). We examined Katz Index (KI) against adverse outcomes in CFS6 (n = 106). We then compared predictive performances of a modified CFS version 1 (mCFS-1; category 6A: CFS6 and KI ≥ 2; 6B: CFS6 and KI ≤ 1) and modified CFS version 2 (mCFS-2; category 6A: CFS6 and KI ≥ 2; 6B1: CFS6, KI ≤ 1 and feeding independent; 6B2: CFS6, KI ≤ 1 and feeding dependent) against the CFS. Multivariate analysis was used to compare each tool against mortality and institutionalisation. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed to determine area under curve and optimal cut-points for each tool.

Results

KI ≤ 1 in CFS6 was associated with higher 12-month mortality (39.3% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.01); amongst KI items, feeding dependent predicted 12-month mortality (p < 0.05). Using mCFS-1, category 6A did not increase 12-month mortality compared with category 5 (OR 1.83, 95% CI 0.52–6.47), unlike category 6B (OR 6.33, 95% CI 2.07–19.33). mCFS-2 produced higher mortality in category 6B1 (OR 5.19, 95% CI 1.30–20.69) and 6B2 (OR 6.92, 95% CI 2.14–22.35). Similar observations were seen for institutionalisation. Optimal cut-point for 12-month mortality was category 6 for CFS, and 6B and 6B1 for mCFS-1 and mCFS-2, respectively.

Conclusion

This study corroborates the heterogeneity of functional status in moderately frail individuals and validates the use of a modified approach to subgrouping the CFS6 via bADL functional status for improved predictive performance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s41999-020-00418-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.