Swallowing-related quality of life in hospitalized elderly patients: A cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate swallowing-related quality of life in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical and observational approach was used in our study. Fifty-two elderly patients in a medical clinic of a public hospital in Distrito Federal [Federal District] participated. In addition to collecting sociodemographic and health condition data, the Eating Assessment Tool and the swallowingrelated quality of life Questionnaire were applied. Results: Of the elderly participants, 30.8% had a self-reported risk of dysphagia. The elderly at risk for dysphagia had lower scores in the "eating duration" domain and higher scores in the "mental health" domain. The only domain in which there was no statistical difference in the response pattern of the participants who were, or were not at risk for dysphagia was the "sleep domain." Among the variables of the 11 domains of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire, mostly positive correlations were found, with different degrees. Conclusion: The swallowing-related quality of life of hospitalized elderly patients is directly manifested as decreased social interaction, increased eating time, fear to eat, and swallowing as a burden.