Survey of dysphagia and related medications in nursing home residents using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) applied by community pharmacists: A single-center retrospective study

TL;DR

This study found that antipsychotic medications are linked to swallowing difficulties in nursing home residents, suggesting the need for medication reviews to prevent aspiration risks.

Contribution

The study is the first to show a significant association between antipsychotic use and dysphagia in nursing home residents using the EAT-10 tool.

Findings

36.9% of residents had reduced swallowing function based on EAT-10 scores.

Antipsychotic use was significantly associated with reduced swallowing function (OR 2.600).

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysphagia among nursing home residents and to examine the association between medication use and impaired swallowing function.

Between January and December 2023, we conducted a retrospective survey across 14 nursing homes visited by community pharmacists. Swallowing function was evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) questionnaire. Residents were categorized into two groups: those with reduced swallowing function (EAT-10 score ≥ 3) and those with normal swallowing function (EAT-10 score < 3). The association between medication use and swallowing function was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Significant differences were observed between the reduced (n = 101, 36.9%) and normal swallowing function (n = 173, 63.1%) groups in terms of age (P = 0.022), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001), and nursing care level (P < 0.001). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for confounding factors, yielding 72 matched pairs. Analysis of the matched cohort revealed a significant association between antipsychotic use and reduced swallowing function (odds ratio [OR], 2.600; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.210–5.560; P = 0.014).

This study identified a significant association between antipsychotic drug use and reduced swallowing function. Medication reviews incorporating assessments of swallowing function may help mitigate the risk of aspiration. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and to clarify causal relationship between medication use and swallowing dysfunction.