Acceso usuarios
Teresa de la Huerga Fernández-Bofill, José Luis Hernández de las Heras, Nuria Beatriz Llamas Sandino
Objective: to describe the proportion of patients >65-year-old with swallowing deterioration, as well as their sociodemographical and clinical characteristics.
Method: a descriptive transversal study was conducted from October, 2013 to February, 2014. The study population included male and female patients, over 65-year-old, who attended the Nursing Outpatient Unit in the afternoon shift at the Valdezarza-Sur de Madrid Health Centre. Those patients included in the study underwent the EAT 10 Test; if the score test was 3 or higher (positive screening), the clinical exploration method through the Volume-Viscosity Test (V-VST) was used for confirmation of oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Results: out of 161 patients assessed, 33 (20,5%) patients had a positive screening at the EAT 10 Dysphagia Test, that is to say, they presented dysphagia symptoms; while 22 (13.7%) patients had a positive result in the Volume-Viscosity clinical exploration method, that is to say, they presented dysphagia symptoms. Regarding the profile of these patients, 33.3% of the 33 patients presented some degree of dependence for DLAs (Daily Life Activities), and 39.4% presented some degree of dependence for IADLs (Instrumental Daily Life Activities); 39.4% of them was in a situation of elderly person at risk, and 18.2% presented some level of cognitive deterioration.
Conclusion: a high proportion of patients with swallowing alterations has been found. This problem is not reported by patients, and in many cases goes undetected by Primary Care professionals. There is evidence of underdiagnosis, despite the major economic impact and morbidity & mortality problems represented.
