Dysphagia is a critical problem in hemodialysis patients with malnutrition. We examined the relationship between dysphagia and malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Fifty-one outpatients (39 men and 12 women) on hemodialysis were recruited to this study. Swallowing function and dysphagia was evaluated with the eating assessment tool-10 (EAT-10). Nutritional status was evaluated with the mini nutritional assessment_®-short form (MNA_®-SF). Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of dysphagia (dysphagia group) or without dysphagia (control group). MNA_®-SF scores were significantly different between the control and dysphagia groups (11.6 ± 1.9 vs. 9.7 ± 2.7; p < 0.05). Additionally, the EAT-10 score showed a significant negative correlation with MNA_®-SF score (r = –0.35; p < 0.011). In hemodialysis patients, dysphagia tended to increase as malnutrition increased. In patients with normal nutritional status, the incidence of dysphagia was 13%; for At-risk patients, the incidence was 33%; and for malnourished patients, the incidence was 67% (p < 0.05). Thus, our results indicate that malnutrition is associated with dysphagia in hemodialysis patients.

View full abstract