PP238
SWALLOWING FUNCTION IS STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH FRAILTY IN INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
E. N. Güneş1,*
1Nutrition and Dietetics, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Rationale: We aimed to evaluate the association between swallowing function and frailty in older adults and its clinical relevance.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 165 older adults (mean age: 80.68 ± 8.88 years) residing in long-term care facilities in Istanbul. Swallowing function (GUSS) and frailty (FRAIL) were assessed as the primary variables, while nutritional status (MNA) and calf circumference were recorded as supportive parameters. Associations between variables were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis.
Results: Mild-to-moderate dysphagia was present in 99.4% of participants, and 87.3% were classified as frail or pre-frail.
A very strong negative correlation was observed between swallowing function and frailty (r = −0.770; p < 0.001), indicating that lower swallowing function is associated with higher frailty levels.
The oral intake component of swallowing function showed a strong association with frailty.
Additionally, calf circumference significantly decreased with increasing frailty (p < 0.001).
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Conclusion: Swallowing function is strongly and inversely associated with frailty in institutionalized older adults. Reduced oral intake capacity is associated with increased frailty levels. These findings suggest that swallowing function may be an important clinical indicator associated with frailty.
References: Fujishima H, et al. Sarcopenia and dysphagia: Position paper by four professional organizations. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2019.Cruz-Jentoft AJ, et al. Sarcopenia: Revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019. Nishioka S, et al. Dysphagia and frailty in older adults: Clinical implications. Clin Nutr. 2021.
Key Word: Frailty – Dysphagia – Older adults
Disclosure of Interest: None declared