Sleep quality and risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia in older people in intensive care units

PURPOSE: To associate the risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia with poor sleep quality in older adults in intensive care units. METHODS: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional study carried out in intensive care units with purposive sampling. A screening form was completed daily for patients admitted during the research period, totaling 221 participants. The inclusion criteria were older individuals (> 60 years old) with preserved cognitive status, communication skills, and physical and emotional stability; based on these criteria, the sample comprised 66 participants. The study used the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to assess sleep quality, item 4 of the Sleep in ICU Questionnaire to assess daytime sleepiness, and the Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Screening in Hospitalized Older Adults to assess the risk of dysphagia. RESULTS: There was a predominance of females (65.2%) and of the age group of 60-70 years (66.7%). Of these, 30.3% were hospitalized due to respiratory problems. Most of the sample (62.1%) reported good sleep quality, while 37.9% had poor sleep. Sleep depth and time to sleep lowest scores, reflecting increased sleep latency and reduced sleep depth. Also, 16.7% scored at risk for oropharyngeal dysphagia during hospitalization, with choking (24.2%) and respiratory incoordination (22.7%) being the most prevalent risk signs in the study population. The risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia was not significantly associated with poor sleep quality (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sleep quality was not associated with the risk of dysphagia in older adults admitted to intensive care units.