ABSTRACT
Purpose
To investigate the association between self-reported swallowing changes with natural chronic diseases of aging, socioeconomic, demographic, nutrition and oral health aspects in the elderly community.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study, from a health survey of 900 elderly with 65 years or older, recruited at home, in the urban area of Campinas, São Paulo/Brazil, in the context of the “Frailty in Elderly Brazilians”. All patients underwent sociodemographic and anthropometric measures, of cognitive screening, among others. The elderly with no signs suggestive of dementia was applied protocol with dichotomous questions (yes/no), based on self-reported chronic disease, depressive symptoms, oral health and swallowing changes. Associations and prevalence ratios were investigated by Cox regression and p-values <0.05 were considered significant.
Results
The sample comprised 507 elderly with 72 (+/- 5.2) years, on average, most women (62%). Natural chronic diseases of aging were most mentioned hypertension (62.1%) and arthritis / rheumatism (43.5%). Only 12.4% reported no chronic disease. Sensation of food stopped (16%) and gagging to feed or drinking liquid (14.4%) were the most mentioned swallowing changes. Dry mouth sensation, more diseases that are chronic, heart disease and osteoporosis were associated with swallowing changes. Increasing age was only related to the hoarseness after ingestion of a food.
Conclusion
The co-occurrence of chronic diseases and the sensation of dry mouth were the most related to factors of swallowing changes. The age was associated only to report of throat clearing after feeding.
Deglutition disorders; Health of the elderly; Epidemiology; Chronic disease; Aged
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