Swallowing disorders in an older fractured hip population

OBJECTIVE: Dysphagia is prevalent in the older population and might lead to complications, such as pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration. This study examines an older population post hip-fracture surgery to examine the factors correlated with dysphagia, severity of dysphagia and the incidence of dysphagia in a regional setting. DESIGN: This prospective cohort study replicates Love et al's (2013, Age Ageing, 42:782) and compares the studies' results. Participants were assessed for dysphagia within 72 hours post hip-fracture surgery. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the incidence and severity of dysphagia, and collate pre-operative and post-operative characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to describe relationships between dysphagia and explanatory variables, and to predict the presence of post-operative oropharyngeal dysphagia. SETTING: General orthopaedic ward at a North Queensland regional hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred-three participants: 78 women and 25 men, aged 65-94 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The presence and severity of dysphagia were identified based on the clinical judgement of speech pathologists with at least 2 years' experience in managing patients with acute dysphagia. RESULT: Fifty-four per cent of the participants were diagnosed with dysphagia of varying severity. Female sex, post-operative confusion and living in a residential aged-care facility prior to admission, significantly predicted dysphagia post-surgery. Post-operative confusion and living in a residential aged-care facility prior to admission, were also significantly correlated with severity of dysphagia post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Dysphagia was present in a higher proportion of this cohort than that reported by Love et al. This highlights the necessity of timely assessment and management of dysphagia in an older population post-surgery for a fractured hip.