[Importance of the detection of dysphagia in geriatric patients]. / Importancia de la detección de la disfagia en pacientes geriátricos.

INTRODUCTION: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is one of the lesser known geriatric syndromes, despite its enormous impact on functional capacity, quality of life, and health of those affected. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive and prospective study was conducted by the Geriatric Department of Barbastro Hospital (Huesca), from March 2012 to October 2014, as biannual and annual reviews in October 2015. This study included all patients on whom a volume-viscosity clinical examination (MECV-V test) was performed to suspecting dysphagia. RESULTS: The study included 266 patients with a mean age of 82.35±12.3 years, and with a mean Barthel index score of 20.5±25.4, and mean Charlson index of 1.77±1.6. The test was performed in 105 cases after stroke (40%), 53 in dementia (20%), 24 in Parkinsonism (9%), and for other different reasons in 80 (31%). Dysphagia was diagnosed in 228 (86%) cases. Enteral nutrition was given in 25 (10.9%) cases. The test results were shown in the discharge report in 45% of the tests with positive result. The mean survival obtained after test in the patients who died was 230.8±256.5 days. Differences in survival at 12 months were found in patients with positive test, without finding a clear relationship with functional status and comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphagia has a significant mortality, and the use of thickeners after its detection should be properly reported.

Importancia de la detección de la disfagia en pacientes geriátricos / Importance of the detection of dysphagia in geriatric patients

Introducción. La disfagia orofaríngea es uno de los síndromes geriátricos menos conocidos, a pesar de su enorme impacto sobre la capacidad funcional, la calidad de vida y la salud de los individuos afectados. Material y método. Estudio descriptivo y prospectivo, por parte del Servicio de Geriatría del hospital de Barbastro (Huesca), desde marzo del 2012 hasta octubre del 2014, con fin de revisiones semestrales y anuales en octubre del 2015. Incluidos todos los paciente a los que se realizó método de exploración clínica de volumen-viscosidad (test MECV-V) por sospecha de disfagia. Resultados. El estudio incluyó a 266 pacientes, con una edad media de 82,35+/-12,3 años, con una puntuación media en el índice de Barthel de 20,5±25,4 y en el índice de Charlson de 1,77±1,6. El motivo de realización del test fue en 105 casos accidente cerebrovascular (40%), en 53 demencia (20%), en 24 parkinsonismos (9%) y por otros motivos diferentes en 80 (31%). Fueron diagnosticados de disfagia 228 casos (86%). Se instauró nutrición enteral en 25 casos (10,9%). Se reflejaron los resultados del test en el informe de alta en el 45% de los mismos con resultado positivo. La supervivencia media obtenida en los pacientes fallecidos desde la realización de test fue de 230,8±256,5 días. Encontramos diferencias en la supervivencia a los 12 meses en pacientes con test positivo, sin una clara relación con la situación funcional ni con la comorbilidad. Conclusiones. La disfagia conlleva una importante mortalidad, debiendo reflejarse adecuadamente el uso de espesantes tras su detección

Introduction. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is one of the lesser known geriatric syndromes, despite its enormous impact on functional capacity, quality of life, and health of those affected. Material and methods. A descriptive and prospective study was conducted by the Geriatric Department of Barbastro Hospital (Huesca), from March 2012 to October 2014, as biannual and annual reviews in October 2015. This study included all patients on whom a volume-viscosity clinical examination (MECV-V test) was performed to suspecting dysphagia. Results. The study included 266 patients with a mean age of 82.35±12.3 years, and with a mean Barthel index score of 20.5±25.4, and mean Charlson index of 1.77±1.6. The test was performed in 105 cases after stroke (40%), 53 in dementia (20%), 24 in Parkinsonism (9%), and for other different reasons in 80 (31%). Dysphagia was diagnosed in 228 (86%) cases. Enteral nutrition was given in 25 (10.9%) cases. The test results were shown in the discharge report in 45% of the tests with positive result. The mean survival obtained after test in the patients who died was 230.8±256.5 days. Differences in survival at 12 months were found in patients with positive test, without finding a clear relationship with functional status and comorbidity. Conclusions. Dysphagia has a significant mortality, and the use of thickeners after its detection should be properly reported