A Predictive Model for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Non-hospitalized Older Patients: Building Bridges Between Detection and Decision-making
Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a highly prevalent and growing condition in the older population. It affects approximately one in three community-dwelling elderly, almost half of the geriatric patients, and even more than half of elderly nursing home residents. The main complications of OD are respiratory infections such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration. It supposes substantial costs for the healthcare system, increases the risk for (re)admissions and length of stay, and has an important impact on the quality of life of people who suffer from it. The aim of this study is to develop a predictive model to identify non-hospitalized older patients at risk for oropharyngeal dysphagia, quantify that risk, and facilitate decision-making according to personal, clinical, and socio-emotional characteristics.
• Older people between 65 and 99 years.
• Swallowing assessed with Videofluoroscopy
• Non-hospitalized patients (swallowing assessed on an outpatient basis)