Detección de trastornos deglutorios en adultos mayores del Centro Geriátrico “Los Jardines” de Cuenca, septiembre 2023- febrero 2024

Abstract

Background: Swallowing disorders are a condition that primarily affects the digestive system due to anatomical and physiological alterations of the organs and muscles that participate in the process. Detecting swallowing disorders in institutionalized older adult patients is of vital importance since it is a vulnerable population where this condition is more prevalent. According to reported statistical data, the frequency with which swallowing disorders occur is 16.5% in older adults worldwide and 5.40% at a local level. Objective: Detect swallowing disorders in older adults at the “Los Jardines” Geriatric Center in Cuenca 2023-2024. Methodological design: Descriptive-cross-sectional research that was carried out by applying the abbreviated Minimental test, EAT 10 and GUSS. Subsequently, a data matrix was created using SPSS version 22 software, and the central tendency analysis commonly used in cross-sectional studies was applied. Results: 49 Older Adults were included, predominantly female with 61.2% (30). The prevalent age was 75-84 years with 49% (24). Coexisting diseases, Senil Dementia predominated with 49% (24). The EAT-10 showed a higher prevalence at risk of suffering from swallowing disorders with 73.5% (36). In the GUSS test, mild dysphagia with low risk of aspiration predominated, at 36.7% (18). Conclusion: swallowing disorders were greater in females with the presence of mild dysphagia with low risk of aspiration