Association of sarcopenia with swallowing problems, related to nutrition and activities of daily living of elderly individuals.
[Purpose] The purpose of the current study was to clarify problems associated with swallowing, related to nutrition and activities of daily living (ADL), in elderly individuals with sarcopenia. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy-seven subjects were assigned to a sarcopenia or a non-sarcopenia group according to a definition used by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Analyses were conducted including and excluding subjects with a central nervous system disorders in order to focus on the influence of sarcopenia. The swallowing ability, ADL, and nutrition levels were compared between the 2 groups. [Results] Swallowing function as well as ADL and nutrition levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group. [Conclusion] It is important to include dimensions of swallowing, nutrition, and ADL in the assessment and treatment of swallowing problems in elderly individuals with sarcopenia.
Geriatric Health Services Facility KIRARI, Japan ; Doctoral Program in Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Japan.
Hiroyasu
H
Shiozu
Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Japan.
Misako
M
Higashijima
Department of Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Japan.
Tomoshige
T
Koga
Dysphagia; Elderly; Sarcopenia