Abstract
As the population grows older, dysphagia is becoming an increasingly common condition and is believed to represent a significant healthcare problem. It has been estimated that 13–35 % of older people who live independently report dysphagic symptoms, with the vast majority failing to seek treatment (Roy et al., Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 116:858–865, 2007). Like other aspects of aging, presbyglutition is more associated with biological age than with chronological age. Age-related changes in swallowing can lead to impaired bolus control and transport, the slowing of pharyngeal swallow initiation, ineffective pharyngeal clearance, impaired cricopharyngeal opening, and reduced secondary esophageal peristalsis with strong consequences for independence and quality of life. The progression of biological age varies significantly from one person to the other, contributing to the heterogeneity of the aging process in each individual. In addition, there are problems that are not limited to the elderly but that seem to manifest themselves more in this population than in the young and affecting the swallowing process. These problems associated to comorbidities and certain types of medication may further complicate the swallowing process in old age.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Bibliography
Eurostat. Population projections 2004–2050. Eurostat; 2005. p. 6. Eurostat Press Office, Luxembourg http://europa.eu.int/comm/eurostat/
Ginocchio D, Borghi C, Schindler A. Dysphagia assessment in the elderly. Nutr Ther Metab. 2009;27(1):9–15.
Roy N, Stemple J, Merrill RM, Thomas L. Dysphagia in the elderly: preliminary evidence of prevalence, risk factors, and socioemotional effects. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2007;116(11):858–65.
Chouinard J, Lavigne E, Villeneuve C. Weight loss, dysphagia, and outcome in advanced dementia. Dysphagia. 1998;13(3):151–5.
Schindler O, Ruoppolo G, Schindler A. Deglutologia. Milano: Omega Edizione; 2011.
Schindler JS, Kelly JH. Swallowing disorders in the elderly. Laryngoscope. 2002;112(4):589–602.
Paterson WG. Dysphagia in the elderly. Can Fam Physician. 1996;42:925–32.
Prasse J, Kikano J. An overview of dysphagia in the elderly. Adv Stud Med. 2004;4(10):527–33.
Yoshikawa M, Yoshida M, Nagasaki T, Tanimoto K, Tsuga K, Akagawa Y. Effects of tooth loss and denture wear on tongue-tip motion in elderly dentulous and edentulous people. J Oral Rehabil. 2008;35(12):882–8.
Youmans SR, Youmans GL, Stierwalt JA. Differences in tongue strength across age and gender: is there a diminished strength reserve? Dysphagia. 2009;24(1):57–65.
Kikutani T, Tamura F, Nishiwaki K, Kodama M, Suda M, Fukui T, et al. Oral motor function and masticatory performance in the community-dwelling elderly. Odontology. 2009;97(1):38–42.
Logemann JA, Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Colangelo LA, Kahrilas PJ, Smith CH. Temporal and biomechanical characteristics of oropharyngeal swallow in younger and older men. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2000;43(5):1264–74.
Doty RW, Bosma JF. An electromyographic analysis of reflex deglutition. J Neurophysiol. 1956;19(1):44–60.
Allepaerts S, Delcourt S, Petermans J. Swallowing disorders in the elderly: an underestimated problem. Rev Med Liege. 2008;63(12):715–21.
Miura H, Kariyasu M, Yamasaki K, Arai Y. Evaluation of chewing and swallowing disorders among frail community-dwelling elderly individuals. J Oral Rehabil. 2007;34(6):422–7.
Ashley J, Duggan M, Sutcliffe N. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders in the older adult. Clin Geriatr Med. 2006;22(2):291–310, viii.
Burda AN. Communication and swallowing changes in healthy aging adults. Iowa: Jones&bartlett Leraning; 2011.
Schindler A, Ginocchio D, Ruoppolo G. What we don't know about dysphagia complications? Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord). 2008;129(2):75–8.
Oguchi K, Saitoh E, Baba M, Kusudo S. The Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST) as a Screening Test of Functional Dysphagia Validity of RSST. Jpn J Rehabil Med. 2000;37(6):383–8.
DePippo KL, Holas MA, Reding MJ. Validation of the 3-oz water swallow test for aspiration following stroke. Arch Neurol. 1992;49(12):1259–61.
Wilkins T, Gillies RA, Thomas AM, Wagner PJ. The prevalence of dysphagia in primary care patients: a HamesNet Research Network study. J Am Board Family Med. 2007;20(2):144–50.
O'Loughlin G, Shanley C. Swallowing problems in the nursing home: a novel training response. Dysphagia. 1998;13(3):172–83.
Mepani R, Antonik S, Massey B, Kern M, Logemann J, Pauloski B, et al. Augmentation of deglutitive thyrohyoid muscle shortening by the Shaker Exercise. Dysphagia. 2009;24(1):26–31.
Hotaling DL. Nutritional considerations for the pureed diet texture in dysphagic elderly. Dysphagia. 1992;7(2):81–5.
Chen PH, Golub JS, Hapner ER, Johns 3rd MM. Prevalence of perceived dysphagia and quality-of-life impairment in a geriatric population. Dysphagia. 2009;24(1):1–6.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer India
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Nogueira, D. (2015). Presbyphagia. In: Mankekar, G. (eds) Swallowing – Physiology, Disorders, Diagnosis and Therapy. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2419-8_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2419-8_10
Publisher Name: Springer, New Delhi
Print ISBN: 978-81-322-2418-1
Online ISBN: 978-81-322-2419-8
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)