Factors associated with the level of oral intake in hospitalized older adults with dysphagia: The importance of mental activity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dysphagia is a highly prevalent condition in hospitalized older adults. One major consequence of dysphagia is reduced oral intake due to difficulty in safe and/or efficient swallowing. The aim of the present study was to explore the factors associated with the level of oral intake in older adults with dysphagia.

METHODS: The subjects were enrolled from older patients admitted to an acute hospital presenting with dysphagia, consisting of 36 patients (16 men and 20 women) with a mean age of 88.1 years. Level of oral intake was evaluated with the Food Intake Level Scale (FILS). Mental function was measured with the vitality index (as a measure of mental vitality related to activities of daily living) and a comprehension scale. Physical ability was evaluated with a mobility index. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form.

RESULTS: The FILS had significant correlations with the vitality index (rs  = 0.49, p = 0.002), comprehension scale (rs  = 0.49. p = 0.002), mobility index (rs  = 0.42, p = 0.010), and MNA-SF score (rs  = 0.37, p = 0.025). Although patients with dementia tended to have lower scores compared with those without dementia, there were no significant differences between the two groups except for the comprehension scale (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The results showed associations between the level of food intake and the mental, physical, and nutritional status in hospitalized older adults with dysphagia.