Sarcopaenia linked to high dysphagia risk in older adults

Older adults with sarcopaenia are more than twice as likely as those without the condition to have dysphagia, as reported in a recent study.

The cross-sectional study used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA) and included 236 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 76.6 years; 48.3 percent male) who had no common causes of dysphagia.

Researchers screened for dysphagia using Standardized Swallowing Assessment. They also evaluated appendicular skeletal muscle mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), grip strength and long-distance corridor walk.

A total of 54 participants (22.9 percent) were diagnosed with dysphagia, while 38 (16.1 percent) were found to have sarcopaenia. Fourteen participants (5.9 percent) had both conditions, labelled sarcopaenic dysphagia.

More participants with vs without dysphagia presented with sarcopaenia (25.9 percent vs 13.2 percent). Additionally, scores on the geriatric quality of life scale was slightly lower in participants with vs without dysphagia (57.0 vs 60.5).

In multiple logistic regression analysis, sarcopaenia emerged as the sole significant risk factor for dysphagia (odds ratio, 2.738, 95 percent CI, 1.160–6.466; p=0.022).

More studies with a larger sample size are needed to reveal their causal relationship.

According to the researchers, strategies to improve the strength and function of swallowing-related musculature, such as tongue-resistance, Shaker and chin-tuck exercises, may be provided to patients with sarcopaenic dysphagia. Additionally, they should be encouraged to perform resistance training and take essential amino acid supplementation to overcome the effect of aggravating factors such as physical inactivity and malnutrition.