Food-related choking deaths among the elderly

Abstract

During 2007-2010 in the USA, 2214 deaths among people aged ≥65 were attributed to choking on food. The death rate for this cause is higher among the elderly than among any other age group. Using data from the US National Vital Statistics System, we examined the relationship between food suffocation and other causes of death listed on the death certificate. Among decedents aged ≥65, the three most common additional conditions listed on the death certificate were heart disease, dementia and diabetes. However, after estimating the expected joint frequency of other causes based on the overall distribution of all causes of death, we find that three causes-dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), Parkinson's disease and pneumonitis-are most strongly associated with deaths from choking on food among older people.

Development of International Terminology and Definitions for Texture-Modified Foods and Thickened Fluids Used in Dysphagia Management: The IDDSI Framework

“…Children younger than three years of age, adults over 65 years of age, individuals with poor dentition, and those with neurological conditions are at high risk of death from asphyxiation on food [35, 60]. In healthy people, regardless of the initial state of the food, after oral processing and at the point of swallow initiation, the bolus is a cohesive mass.…”

Texture-modified meals for hospital patients

“…It is well known that children younger than three years of age are at increased risk of choking and significant efforts have been put into determining the characteristics of items that are a choking hazard. However, the death rate from asphyxiation on food in older adults (>65 years) is seven times higher than for children aged one to four years of age (Kramarow et al, 2014). Food-specific items include hard lollies, hot dogs, meat, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit pieces (e.g., grapes) (Rimell et al, 1995;Congiou et al, 2005).…”

“…Rigid, solid, bulky, round and cylindrical items and conforming items (e.g., balloons) have been identified (Rimell et al, 1995). In a study examining food-choking deaths between 2007 and 2010 in the USA, a positive relationship was found between choking on food and a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, dementia and pneumonitis (Kramarow et al, 2014). However, the death rate from asphyxiation on food in older adults (>65 years) is seven times higher than for children aged one to four years of age (Kramarow et al, 2014).…”

“…Food-specific items include hard lollies, hot dogs, meat, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit pieces (e.g., grapes) (Rimell et al, 1995;Congiou et al, 2005). Curiously, in older adults asphyxiation on food is often misdiagnosed as myocardial infarction (Kramarow et al, 2014). Increasing age is also associated with increased risk of choking on food.…”

Mortality risk among adults with cerebral palsy: alarming findings and lingering questions

“…Although it is understandable that the authors could not compare rates for specific causes of death, it would prove informative to publish the specific cause of death rates for the 142 decedents with CP. This is especially the case for preventable choking deaths due to either external causes or pneumonitis, both of which are common among adults with CP, and may indicate substandard care…”