How common is dysphagia in older adults living at home and what are the potential risk factors?

Abstract

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing food or drink, can lead to poorer health outcomes and serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia can often go undetected and is known to be common amongst hospitalised older adults and those living in institutional care. Less is known about the prevalence of dysphagia amongst older adults who live at home. This commentary critically appraises a systematic review that determines prevalence rates and risk factors for dysphagia in the community-dwelling elderly.