Frequência e fatores associados às alterações de deglutição e voz em idosos hospitalizados

Abstract

Purpose: To verify the frequency and associated factors with deglutition and voice disorders in hospitalized elderly. Methods: Observational, exploratory, cross-sectional and descriptive study with 125 hospitalized elderly people in a university hospital in the Northeastern region of Brazil. The frequency was obtained through the Screening for Deglutition Disorders in Older People (RADI), in its preliminary version, and Screening for Voice Disorders in Older Adults (RAVI). The independent variables were socioeconomic and demographic conditions, hospitalization, general health and lifestyle. The descriptive analysis of the data was done by means of the absolute and relative frequencies. Bivariate analysis was performed using the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher's exact test and the magnitude of effect was verified by the prevalence ratio for the independent variables in relation to the outcome. The level of significance was 5%. Results: The frequency of voice disorders was 44.8% and swallowing was 66.4%. The bivariate analyzes showed significant association between vocal and swallowing disorders with gastroesophageal reflux, cold and sore throats (more than three times a year), hearing problems, swallowing difficulty, voice problems more than two weeks, tension or pain in the throat or neck and dry mouth feeling. There was also association between the variables respiratory allergy, sinusitis, tension or pain in the mandible and shoulders and having a caregiver with voice disorders and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and practicing physical exercise with swallowing disorders. Conclusion: There is a high frequency of vocal and swallowing disorders in hospitalized elderly and this frequency is associated with aspects of general health conditions and lifestyle.