Influences of Dysphagia on the Prognosis of Chinese Elderly Inpatients: a Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

The increasing incidence of dysphagia may pose threats to the health of older patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the adverse influences of dysphagia on the prognosis of older Chinese inpatients. A total of 290 older inpatients with different swallowing functions were involved in this study through group sampling from the geriatric centre of a 3A-level hospital in China. Among them, 125 patients (43.1%) had dysphagia at admission. Based on a cross-sectional investigation, a prospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the incidence of complications, readmission, and death during 6 months of follow-up. A total of 34 patients (11.7%) died, and the remaining 256 patients (88.3%) were investigated concerning their complications. There was a higher prevalence of death among the older patients with dysphagia (15.6% vs 7.9%, RR = 2.361). In terms of complications, older patients with dysphagia were more likely to develop malnutrition (29.8% vs 5.9%, RR = 6.747) and aspiration pneumonia (34.6% vs 11.2%, RR = 4.204). Furthermore, multi-factor analysis demonstrated that dysphagia was an independent predictor of malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia but not an independent predictor of death. In conclusion, dysphagia was proven to be an independent predictor of a poor outcome of Chinese elderly inpatients. Specific clinical management and nursing interventions are recommended to prevent the potential adverse influences of dysphagia.