Acceptance of oral food in hospitalized and risk for dysphagia adults and elderly people

Abstract

Objective: analyze the acceptance to oral feeding and risk for dysphagia in hospitalized adults and elderly. Methods: This is a longitudinal, observational, descriptive and quantitative study, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution (5.640.721). Participants were male and female patients admitted to a university hospital, over 18 years of age, with exclusive or partial oral pathway. Data were collected from electronic medical records, anamneses, and the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was applied. The participants filled out a form during hospitalization with the level of acceptance of the diet in the main daily meals. Statistical analysis with Pearson's Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman's Correlation (5% significance level). Results: Thirty-five subjects participated, with a mean age of 61 years. The mean number of days of hospitalization was 29 days with a mean completion of five days. There was a prevalence of elderly patients, female, at risk for dysphagia by EAT-10 and with complaints, with functional swallowing by clinical evaluation, followed by mild dysphagia, and Functional Oral Intake Scale level 5, with soft oral pathway, no alternative feeding route on the first and last day of filling out the form, and outcome of hospital discharge. Patients who stayed longer in the hospital, with dysphagia and alternative feeding route accepted the diets less. Final considerations: Adults and elderly patients of the present sample presented lower acceptance of oral diet during hospitalization, as well as presence of complaints and risk for dysphagia.