A simplified method for evaluating swallowing ability and estimating malnutrition risk: A pilot study in older adults.
A simplified method for evaluating swallowing ability and estimating malnutrition risk: A pilot study in older adults.
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ObjectivesThe aim of this pilot study was to develop a Thai-version of a simple swallowing questionnaire, called the T-SSQ, and to evaluate the association between malnutrition risk and swallowing ability, determined objectively by tongue strength and subjectively by the T-SSQ.Sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine which swallowing indices better estimate malnutrition in older adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study comprised two phases: Phase I, development and deus gorras cross-cultural translation of the T-SSQ; and Phase II, application of the T-SSQ in 60 older adults.
In Phase I, content and face validity of the T-SSQ was evaluated by 10 experts and 15 older adults.In Phase II, the convergent validity of the T-SSQ was evaluated by determining its association with objective tongue strength.Nutritional status was evaluated using the Thai-version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment.
Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, and oral and health-related status.Adjusting for covariates, the associations between the two swallowing indices and malnutrition risk were determined using multivariable regression analyses.A cut-off value for low tongue strength was determined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and sensitivity analysis between the swallowing indices and malnutrition risk was performed.
ResultsThe T-SSQ comprised 4-items of common signs and symptoms of a swallowing problem.Its content and face validity were verified.Older adults were considered as having a swallowing problem when at least one item was reported.
Convergent validity of the subjective index was shown by significantly different tongue strength values between the participants with and without a swallowing problem (p for independent t-test = 0.014).Based on the highest area under the ROC curve, an 18-kPa cut-off value was chosen to classify low tongue strength.
Having a swallowing problem and low tongue strength was significantly associated with malnutrition risk.The positive predictive chiggate.com value of the subjective swallowing index was 1.8-fold higher than objective tongue strength.
ConclusionsSelf-reported swallowing problems determined by the T-SSQ can be used as a subjective index for evaluating swallowing ability in older adults.Subjective swallowing problems and objective tongue strength were associated with malnutrition risk.However, the T-SSQ estimated malnutrition risk better than the objective index.