A Case of Dysphagia and Dysarthria Improved by Flexible-palatal Lift/augmentation Combination Prosthesis.

Background: Palatal augmentation prosthesis (PAP) and palatal lift prosthesis (PLP) have been used to improve dysphagia and dysarthria. However, to date, there are few reports on their combined use. We report a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of a flexible-palatal lift/augmentation combination prosthesis (fPL/ACP) based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and speech intelligibility testing. Case: An 83-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a hip fracture. She developed aspiration pneumonia at 1 month after partial hip replacement. Oral motor function tests revealed a motor deficit of the tongue and soft palate. VFSS showed delayed oral transit, nasopharyngeal reflux, and excessive pharyngeal residue. The cause of her dysphagia was assumed to be pre-existing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and sarcopenia. To improve the dysphagia, an fPL/ACP was fabricated and applied. It improved the patient's oral and pharyngeal swallowing and speech intelligibility. In addition to prosthetic treatment, rehabilitation and nutritional support allowed her to be discharged. Discussion: The effects of fPL/ACP in the present case were similar to those of flexible-PLP and PAP. f-PLP assists in elevation of the soft palate and improved the nasopharyngeal reflux and hypernasal speech. PAP promotes tongue movement and results in improved oral transit and speech intelligibility. Therefore, fPL/ACP may be effective in patients with motor deficits in both the tongue and soft palate. To maximize the effect of the intraoral prosthesis, a transdisciplinary approach with concurrent swallowing rehabilitation, nutritional support, and physical and occupational therapy is necessary.

Association of poor oral health status and faecal incontinence in patients with dysphagia: A cross-sectional analysis from the Sarcopenic Dysphagia Database.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral health status may alter oral and gut microbiota. Previous studies have shown that poor oral health can exacerbate gut inflammation. Therefore, poor oral health status may be related to faecal incontinence via changes in the gut. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between poor oral health status and faecal incontinence in inpatients with dysphagia. METHODS: This multicentre cross-sectional study included 423 patients (mean age 79.8 ± 11.5 years, 48.2% female) with dysphagia. Oral health status was assessed at each facility using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) or the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). Poor oral health status was defined as an OHAT score of ≥3 or a ROAG score of ≥13. A multivariate logistic model was used to analyse the association between poor oral health status and faecal incontinence. RESULTS: A total of 351 (83.0%) patients had poor oral health and 97 (22.7%) had faecal incontinence. Patients with poor oral health status had a higher proportion of faecal incontinence than those with normal oral health status (25.4% vs. 11.1%, p = .009). A multivariate logistic model revealed an association between faecal incontinence and poor oral health status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.501, 95% confidence interval = 1.065-5.873, p = .035). CONCLUSIONS: Poor oral health status assessed by OHAT or ROAG in inpatients with dysphagia may adversely affect faecal incontinence. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between poor oral health status and faecal incontinence.

Association of medial gastrocnemius adiposity with poststroke severe malnutrition and functional performance of activities of daily living in older patients: A prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Relationships among medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue, nutrition status, and functional outcomes of patients after a stroke are unknown. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between nutrition status and gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue and whether medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue affects functional outcomes of older patients after a stroke. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 217 patients with stroke. Nutrition status was evaluated by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition. The medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue was assessed using ultrasound echographic intensity. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between nutrition status at admission and medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue. Furthermore, we examined the influence of medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM)-motor score at discharge and FIM-motor efficiency, which indicates FIM-motor changes during the hospital stay. RESULTS: Severe malnutrition had a positive influence on medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue on the nonparalyzed side (ß = 0.175; P = 0.044). Additionally, the medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue on the nonparalyzed side was negatively correlated with the FIM-motor score at discharge (ß = -0.102; P = 0.005) and FIM-motor efficiency (ß = -0.273; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This study clarified the factors that contribute to a higher medial gastrocnemius intramuscular adipose tissue content on the nonparalyzed side and the effect of the higher adipose tissue content on functional outcomes.

Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity based on newly proposed diagnostic criteria and functional outcomes in older adults undergoing rehabilitation.

In 2022, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) working group proposed uniform diagnostic criteria for sarcopenic obesity. However, no study has adapted these criteria to an Asian population or examined sarcopenic obesity prevalence diagnosed using these criteria or its association with functional outcomes. This retrospective cohort study investigated sarcopenic obesity prevalence diagnosed based on the ESPEN and EASO criteria, and its association with functional outcomes in 1080 older Japanese patients (mean age 79.5 years, 43.5 % male) undergoing rehabilitation. Based on the mentioned criteria, sarcopenic obesity is defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, increased percent body fat (PBF), reduced skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and low handgrip strength. Sarcopenic obesity prevalence was investigated using various ESPEN- and EASO-proposed definitions of increased PBF and reduced SMM. Functional outcomes were evaluated based on whether patients improved in the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The prevalence was 4.3-5.3 %. Sarcopenic obesity was not independently related to FIM MCID achievement. Sarcopenic obesity prevalence-based on the ESPEN and EASO criteria-in older Japanese patients undergoing rehabilitation was low and was not associated with poor functional outcomes.

Association between food texture levels consumed and the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia in older patients after stroke.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Texture-modified diets (TMDs) may affect nutritional status and sarcopenia in patients after stroke. This study aimed to investigate the association of food texture levels consumed by patients after stroke with the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a two-center cross-sectional study. A total of 443 patients aged ≥65 years undergoing post-stroke rehabilitation and with oral intake in rehabilitation wards in Shizuoka prefecture and Okinawa prefecture, Japan, were included in the analysis. Food textures were categorized according to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) framework. Malnutrition was diagnosed according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition and sarcopenia was assess by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 criteria. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to examine the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia by consumption of lower food texture levels. RESULTS: Malnutrition and sarcopenia were diagnosed in 245 (55.3%) and 275 (62.1%) participants, respectively. Consumption of lower food texture levels was associated with a higher prevalence of malnutrition and severe malnutrition (P < 0.001 for both). In addition, consumption of lower food texture levels was associated with a higher prevalence of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia (P < 0.001 for both). On multivariate analysis, significant associations were observed between IDDSI levels 5 (P < 0.001) and 4 (P = 0.009) and malnutrition, and between IDDSI levels 6 (P = 0.015), 5 (P = 0.033), and 4 (P = 0.015) and sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stroke, consumption of lower food texture levels categorized by the IDDSI framework was associated with a higher prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia.

Compensatory swallowing methods in a patient with dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome-vacuum and prolonged swallowing: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The nature of pharyngeal swallowing function during the course of recovery of dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) is unclear. Vacuum swallowing is a compensatory swallowing method that improves the pharyngeal passage of a bolus by creating negative pressure during swallowing in the esophagus in patients with dysphagia due to LMS. We present a case involving a patient with dysphagia due to LMS who involuntarily acquired a swallowing method with prolonged and increased pharyngeal contraction and vacuum swallowing. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a unique case involving a 52-year-old patient with dysphagia due to LMS. His dysphagia was severe but improved gradually with swallowing rehabilitation. The patient involuntarily acquired a swallowing method with prolonged and increased pharyngeal contraction and vacuum swallowing. DIAGNOSIS: The patient presented with dysphagia due to left LMS. A videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing revealed pharyngeal residue. INTERVENTIONS: Forty-five days after the onset of the dysphagia, the swallowing pressure along the pharynx and esophagus was measured using high-resolution manometry. OUTCOMES: Vacuum swallowing was observed in six out of 19 swallows (32.5%). The velopharyngeal contractile integral (CI) and mesohypopharyngeal CI values increased during swallowing, reflecting prolonged and increased pharyngeal contraction. We named this swallowing method "prolonged swallowing." CONCLUSION: The findings in this case indicate that vacuum and prolonged swallowing may be compensatory swallowing methods observed in individuals recovering from dysphagia due to LMS. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between these swallowing methods and the pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment of dysphagia in patients with LMS.

Poor oral health and anorexia in older rehabilitation patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between anorexia and comprehensive oral health status in older inpatients. BACKGROUND: Anorexia in older inpatients is a major concern, but whether it is associated with oral problems is currently unclear. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 160 participants (42.5% men) aged ≥65 years (mean age 78.6 ± 7.9) who had been admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. A score of ≤14 on the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire for Japanese Elderly indicated anorexia. A score of ≥3 on the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) indicated poor oral health. Malnutrition was diagnosed according to the criteria set out by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between poor oral health and anorexia and, additionally, which subcategory of the OHAT (represented by a score ≥1) was associated with anorexia. RESULTS: Anorexia and poor oral health status were observed in 86 (53.8%) and 85 (53.1%), respectively. Poor oral health was associated with anorexia after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-5.9). Additionally, poor status of dentures (AOR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.7) and poor oral cleanliness (AOR 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4-6.4) were independently associated with anorexia. CONCLUSIONS: Poor oral health was associated with anorexia in older inpatients. Detection of poor oral health status using a comprehensive oral health assessment may be useful for anorexic patients. Early detection for poor oral health using comprehensive oral health assessments and oral care and prosthetic treatment may be useful for anorexic patients.

Accuracy of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire for Malnutrition and Sarcopenia Screening among Older Patients Requiring Rehabilitation.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the accuracy of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and the SNAQ for Japanese Elderly (SNAQ-JE) for the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM)-defined malnutrition and sarcopenia screening in older persons. We included 380 inpatients aged ≥65 years (mean age, 79.3 ± 7.9; 60.0% women) and admitted to rehabilitation units. Undernutrition and sarcopenia were diagnosed based on GLIM criteria and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, respectively, using bioimpedance analysis. Poor appetite was defined as an SNAQ score of <14 points and an SNAQ-JE score of ≤14 points. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of these tools for detecting poor appetite for GLIM-defined malnutrition and sarcopenia were assessed. The rates of GLIM-defined malnutrition and sarcopenia were 56.8% and 59.2%, respectively. The number of patients with poor appetite was 94 (24.7%) for the SNAQ and 234 (61.6%) for the SNAQ-JE. The sensitivity and specificity of the SNAQ measured against GLIM-defined malnutrition were 32.9% and 73.1%, respectively, and against sarcopenia were 29.8% and 70.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the SNAQ-JE measured against GLIM-defined malnutrition were 82.6% and 51.0%, respectively, and against sarcopenia were 86.0% and 53.7%, respectively. The SNAQ-JE showed fair accuracy for GLIM-defined malnutrition and sarcopenia in older patients admitted to rehabilitation units.

Effect of dentures on pharyngeal swallowing function in patients with dysphagia.

AIM: Dentures play an important role in improving masticatory and oropharyngeal swallowing functions in some edentulous patients without dysphagia. However, few studies have been conducted on patients with dysphagia. This study investigated the effect of dentures on pharyngeal swallowing function in patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Older inpatients with dysphagia who used well-fitting dentures were included in the study. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study findings with and without dentures were compared. Pharyngeal residue and area as spatial, the distance between the maxilla and mandible, hyoid bone/laryngeal displacement, and upper esophageal sphincter opening as kinematics, oral/pharyngeal transit time as temporal measurements, and patient-reported symptoms were evaluated. The primary outcome was the pharyngeal residue measured using the normalized residue ratio scale. Comparisons were made using the paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The mean age of the 27 participants was 86.1 ± 6.8 years. The vallecular residue was more in those without dentures (with dentures: 0.01 [0-0.02], without dentures: 0.03 [0-0.08]; P = 0.003). The pyriform sinus residue showed no significant difference. Denture removal significantly increased the pharyngeal area. The distance between the maxilla and mandible decreased in the absence of dentures, and other kinematic measurements showed no significant differences. Oral/pharyngeal transit time was prolonged without dentures. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological changes caused by the removal of dentures led to pharyngeal expansion, which may result in increased vallecular residue. A treatment plan that considers the effect of dentures on pharyngeal swallowing function may provide rehabilitation that is more effective. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 907-912.

Delayed Dysphagia May Be Sarcopenic Dysphagia in Patients After Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: In many cases, swallowing function is impaired after the onset of stroke and gradually improves. However, delayed dysphagia has been reported in some post-stroke patients. Recently, several studies have reported that low muscle strength and decreased muscle mass cause dysphagia. This study aimed to investigate whether these conditions are associated with delayed dysphagia after stroke. DESIGN: A multicenter prospective observational cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 165 patients with post-stroke dysphagia (mean age 79.1 ± 8.0 years, 53.3% women) admitted to rehabilitation wards for post-stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Swallowing function was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale. Delayed dysphagia was defined as dysphagia that occurred more than 7 days after stroke onset. We used logistic regression to examine the independent association between low muscle strength and decreased muscle mass and delayed dysphagia development. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between improvement in dysphagia and delayed dysphagia. RESULTS: Delayed dysphagia was observed in 18 (10.9%) patients. The combination of severely low muscle strength and decreased muscle mass was independently associated with the development of delayed dysphagia (adjusted odds ratio: 4.423, 95% confidence interval: 1.400-13.974, P = .011). Delayed dysphagia had an adverse effect on the improvement of dysphagia during in-hospital rehabilitation (adjusted odds ratio: 0.278, 95% confidence interval: 0.078-0.986, P = .047). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The development of delayed dysphagia was influenced by a combination of severely low muscle strength and decreased muscle mass. Furthermore, delayed dysphagia adversely affects the improvement of dysphagia in patients with stroke and needs to be identified early. Identifying delayed dysphagia using the methods proposed in this study and incorporating early intervention may prevent or delay dependency conditions in this population.

Texture-Modified Diets are Associated with Poor Appetite in Older Adults who are Admitted to a Post-Acute Rehabilitation Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the association between texture-modified diets and poor appetite in older adults, as it is not fully understood. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We included 208 inpatients who were aged ≥65 years (mean age 78.9 ± 7.6 years, 57.7% female) and admitted to a rehabilitation unit with stroke, musculoskeletal disease, or hospital-associated deconditioning covered by the Japanese insurance system, between January 2019 and January 2020. METHODS: Participants were divided into 2 groups according to their food texture level: International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) levels 3 to 5 for the texture-modified diet group and levels 6 and 7 for the normal diet group. Appetite was assessed using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire for the Japanese elderly, and a score ≤14 was defined as poor appetite. The relationship between IDDSI levels and poor appetite was analyzed using the Cochrane-Armitage trend test. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the consumption of texture-modified diets and poor appetite. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The numbers of participants on modified diets according to the IDDSI framework were as follows: 4, 11, 41, 76, and 76 in levels 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively. In total, 152 and 56 patients were classified into the regular diet group and texture-modified diet group, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of poor appetite was observed with the consumption of texture-modified diets (P < .001 for trend). Logistic regression analysis showed that poor appetite was independently associated with the consumption of texture-modified diets (odds ratio 3.443, P = .011). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings indicate that the consumption of texture-modified diets is associated with poor appetite. Further studies are required to verify whether a multimodal approach involving improvement in the appearance, taste, flavor, and nutrients of the food can improve poor appetite.

Effect of low tongue pressure on nutritional status and improvement of swallowing function in sarcopenic dysphagia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low tongue pressure on the improvement of swallowing function in people with sarcopenic dysphagia and ongoing dysphagia or physical rehabilitation. In addition, we investigated whether sarcopenic dysphagia at admission was associated with severity of malnutrition. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 146 people with sarcopenic dysphagia (mean age 84.6 ± 7.4 y; 68.4% women, 31.6% men) in a postacute rehabilitation hospital. Sarcopenic dysphagia was defined as the presence of both sarcopenia and dysphagia but not neurogenic dysphagia, such as dysphagia due to stroke. Low tongue pressure was classified as "probable" and normal tongue pressure as "possible" sarcopenic dysphagia. Swallowing function was assessed using the Food Intake Level Scale. Malnutrition was diagnosed using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Study outcomes included the amount of change in Food Intake Level Scale score during the rehabilitation period and the association between probable sarcopenic dysphagia and the severity of malnutrition on admission. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 83 participants (58.6%) with probable sarcopenic dysphagia. The severity of malnutrition (moderate malnutrition: adjusted odds ratio, 3.388; P = 0.042) and severe malnutrition (adjusted odds ratio, 3.663; P = 0.015) was a contributing factor to probable sarcopenic dysphagia. Probable sarcopenic dysphagia (regression coefficient, -0.384; P = 0.017) was negatively associated with the amount of change in Food Intake Level Scale score. CONCLUSIONS: Probable sarcopenic dysphagia with low tongue pressure was associated with poorer improvement in swallowing function and severe malnutrition during postacute rehabilitation. Patients with probable sarcopenic dysphagia may require aggressive nutritional therapy.

Incoordination during the pharyngeal phase in severe dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome.

One of the mechanisms of severe dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome may be a reversed pressure gradient caused by incoordination of pharyngeal contractility and UES opening during swallowing.

Nutritional Management Enhances the Recovery of Swallowing Ability in Older Patients with Sarcopenic Dysphagia.

This study assessed whether a high provided energy of ≥30 kcal/ideal body weight (IBW)/day (kg) for patients with sarcopenic dysphagia effectively improved swallowing ability and the activities of daily living (ADLs). Among 110 patients with sarcopenic dysphagia (mean age, 84.9 ± 7.4 years) who were admitted to a post-acute hospital, swallowing ability and the ADLs were assessed using the Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), respectively. The primary outcome was the FILS at discharge, while the secondary outcome was the achievement of the FIM with a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at discharge. We created a homogeneous probability model without statistically significant differences using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method with and without a mean provided energy of ≥30 kcal/IBW/day (kg) for a period of 1 week of hospitalization and compared the outcomes between groups. A mean provided energy of ≥30 kcal/IBW/day (kg) was achieved in 62.7% of patients. In the IPTW model, the FILS and the rates of achieved MCID of the FIM at discharge were significantly higher in the mean provided energy of ≥30 kcal/IBW/day (kg) group (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). A high provided energy for patients with sarcopenic dysphagia may improve swallowing ability and produce clinically meaningful functional outcomes.

Evaluation of a palatal lift prosthesis with a flexible lift in a lower cranial nerve palsy patient with dysphagia using high-resolution manometry: A case report.

Patient Palatal lift prostheses (PLPs) are used for dysarthria caused by velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) and improving hypernasal speech. In this case, we used a PLP with a flexible lift (f-PLP) in a patient with dysphagia associated with VPI due to right-sided cranial nerve injuries after a skull base surgery. We examined its efficacy in swallowing biomechanics and swallowing function using high-resolution manometry (HRM) and videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing (VF). The patient felt that it was easier to swallow with f-PLP. Furthermore, VF indicated that the pharyngeal residue with f-PLP was less than without it. HRM showed that velopharyngeal pressure and intrabolus pressure (IBP) with f-PLP were higher than those without it. Additionally, the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation time and UES nadir pressure on the patient's healthy left side compared to the right side improved with f-PLP.Discussion We discovered two clinical outcomes. First, the f-PLP ensured velopharyngeal closure and an increase in the hypopharyngeal IBP, which potentially improved the UES opening on the healthy side. Second, the f-PLP improved pharyngeal clearance, and the patient felt that it was easier to swallow with the f-PLP. This implies that an f-PLP potentially exhibits a positive effect on swallowing.Conclusions In this case, the f-PLP contributed to improving the pharyngeal passage of a bolus. We suggest that f-PLPs can be used for patients with dysarthria and those with dysphagia with VPI.

Digastric muscle mass and intensity in older patients with sarcopenic dysphagia by ultrasonography.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate digastric muscle mass and intensity between no sarcopenic dysphagia and sarcopenic dysphagia. METHODS: Patients aged ≥65 years were enrolled. According to the diagnostic algorithm for sarcopenic dysphagia, the patients were divided into two groups, no sarcopenic dysphagia and sarcopenic dysphagia. Handgrip strength, gait speed, skeletal muscle mass, tongue pressure, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and Food Intake LEVEL Scale were investigated. Digastric muscle mass and intensity were examined by ultrasonography. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent factors for the presence of sarcopenic dysphagia. To estimate the accuracy of diagnosing sarcopenic dysphagia, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for digastric muscle mass and intensity. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (mean ± SD, 84.3 ± 7.8 years, 22 men, 23 women) including 19 no sarcopenic dysphagia and 26 sarcopenic dysphagia were examined. In sarcopenic dysphagia, lower BMI, Food Intake LEVEL Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and smaller muscle mass and greater muscle intensity were found compared with no sarcopenic dysphagia. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, digastric muscle mass and intensity were identified as independent factors for sarcopenic dysphagia. The cut-off value of muscle mass was 75.1 mm2 (area under curve: 0.731, sensitivity: 0.692, specificity: 0.737) and muscle intensity was 27.8 (area under curve: 0.823, sensitivity: 0.923, specificity: 0.632). CONCLUSIONS: Digastric muscle mass was smaller and muscle intensity was greater in sarcopenic dysphagia than no sarcopenic dysphagia. Ultrasonography of digastric muscle, as well as the tongue and geniohyoid muscle, is useful. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 14-19.