Dysphagia assessed by the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool is associated with nutritional status in older people admitted to acute hospital
2016 Volume 31 Issue 5 Pages 1141-1146
Details
2016 Volume 31 Issue 5 Pages 1141-1146
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of dysphagia assessed by 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), and evaluate the association between dysphagia and nutritional status in older patients admitted to acute hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 103 older patients (mean age 80 ± 8 years, 45 of men) hospitalized in an acute-phase local hospital. The EAT-10 were used to evaluate dysphagia and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA®-SF) were used to evaluate nutritional status. Correlation analysis and multivariate analysis were performed.
Results: The EAT-10 scores of 3 or more, which suggests dysphagia, was found in 27 patients (26.2%). Malnutrition assessed by the MNA®-SF was found in 13 patients (12.6%). The EAT-10 has an independent effect on the MNA®-SF after adjusted for covariates such as age, gender, activities of daily living, and hand grip strength in multiple regression analysis (Beta-0.393, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Dysphagia assessed by the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool is associated with nutritional status in older patients admitted to acute hospital. We should assess swallowing function and nutritional status in older patients admitted to acute hospital whose EAT-10 score is 3 or more.
