Korean J Adult Nurs.  2014 Aug;26(4):393-402. 10.7475/kjan.2014.26.4.393.

The Risk of Dysphagia and Dysphagia-specific Quality of Life among Community Dwelling Older Adults in Senior Center

• Kim MS
• Park YH

• KMID: 2298173
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2014.26.4.393

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to describe the risk of dysphagia among older adults in senior centers and to find the relationships between the risk of dysphagia and dysphagia-specific quality of life.
METHODS
The participants were 260 community-dwelling older adults, aged 65 years in two senior centers. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires or face to face interviews. The instruments were the modified dysphagia risk assessment scale for elderly and dysphagia-specific quality of life questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t-test, chi2-test, logistic regression, and pearson's correlation.
RESULTS
162 older adults (62.3%) were classified as having the risk of dysphagia. Severe dry mouth (OR=15.677, CI=2.986~82.297), neurologic disease (OR=10.125, CI=1.092~93.899), gastritis (OR=5.731, CI=1.482~22.173), denture discomfort (OR=2.969, CI=1.016~8.677), teeth discomfort (OR=2.61, CI=1.311~5.196) were the significant factors predicting the risk of dysphagia. There is a significant correlation between the risk of dysphagia and dysphagia-specific quality of life.
CONCLUSION
Dysphagia could be a major health problem among community dwelling older adults. It can affect the dysphagia-specific quality of life. Older adults having severe dry mouth, neurologic disease, or gastritis should receive dysphagia risk assessment and proper management on a regular basis. An effective nursing intervention needs to be developed for the older adults with risk factors of dysphagia.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Aged
Deglutition Disorders*
Dentures
Gastritis
Humans
Logistic Models
Mouth
Nursing
Quality of Life*
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Senior Centers*
Tooth
Surveys and Questionnaires

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