Guidance of swallowing test in determining the route of feeding in the palliative care unit

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Evaluation of dysphagia in palliative care patients is an important indicator of care. In this study, it was evaluated how the swallowing test in palliative care patients guides the course of feeding route. Materials-Methods: This single center, retrospective study evaluated palliative care patients who underwent bedside dysphagia evaluation. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with dysphagia who could continue oral feeding. Results: The study included 65 patients [Age, mean ± SD: 76.2 ± 12.2 years (37 to 94 years); males: 53.8%). Two (3.3%) patients were not suitable for oral/enteral feeding. Thirty-eight (58.5%) patients had dysphagia, whereas 27 (41.5%) patients were found to have no dysphagia. Following admission, the route of feeding was modified in 49.2% of the sample. The proportion of patients who returned to oral feeding was 29.2% (n = 19), whereas 13.8% (n = 9) and 6.2% (n = 6) of the sample received PEG and nasoenteral tube placement, respectively. Among 33 patients who were on tube-feeding on admission, 12 (36.4%) individuals returned to oral feeding during their palliative care unit stay. Seven (58.4%) of these subjects who regained oral feeding were on nasoenteral tube feeding and 5 (41.6%) were on PEG feeding on admission. Conclusions: The present study showed a high rate of dysphagia on admission to palliative care unıt. On the other hand, safe and adequate oral feeding could be re-initiated in almost one-third of the patients with dysphagia on admission.