PREVALENCE OF DYSPHAGIA ASSESSED BY THE EAT-10 AND ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA IN HOSPITALIZED OLDER ADULTS

This longitudinal observational cohort study was conducted concurrently in two Spanish acute geriatric wards during a four month period. 280 subjects belong to hospital A and 281 to hospital B. The presence of dysphagia was assessed by the EAT-10. Previous diagnosis of dysphagia was recorded at baseline, as well as thickener use before, during the stay and at discharge. Furthermore, presence of aspiration pneumonia as cause of admission and mortality related to aspiration pneumonia were registered. Mean age in center A was 85.9 years with 60.7% women. 27.7% of subjects had previous diagnosis of dysphagia with aprevalence of dysphagia of 42.1% determined by EAT-10. Mean age in center B was 87.2 years with 59.1% women. 10% of subjects had previous diagnosis of dysphagia with aprevalence of dysphagia of 59.1% determined by EAT-10. Thickener use in center A at admission was 15%, 30% during the stay and 11% at discharge as registered in the discharge report. Data of thickener use were not recorded at center B. In center A, aspiration pneumonia was the main cause of admission in 12.1% of subjects. During follow-up, 10.4% of subjects died with 50% of deaths related to aspiration pneumonia. In center B, aspiration pneumonia was the main cause of admission in 9.6% of subjects. During follow-up, 11% of subjects died with 41% of deaths related to aspiration pneumonia. Our results showed that dysphagia is often underdiagnosed. EAT-10 is an easy tool that should be implemented in the routine assessment of at-risk older adults.