Impact of dysphagia and malnutrition on the survival of hospitalized patients

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and malnutrition (MN) are highly prevalent among hospitalized patients, with significant clinical repercussions. To assess the prevalence, survival and factors associated with OD and MN in hospitalized patients with a high risk of OD. A cross-sectional observational study with 82 patients aged ≥70 years and with the possibility of oral feeding admitted in 4 services of a third level hospital during 3 months. The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 test (NRS-2002) was performed to detect nutritional risk and the volume-viscosity screening test (V-VST) for OD evaluation. Data were collected on the clinical suspicion of OD, days of hospital stay, the number of readmissions and other socio-demographic data. 50.6% had OD and 51.9% MN. In 48.8%, there was underdiagnosis of OD. The median number of days of admission was higher among patients with MN (19.5 days vs 13 days, p = 0.02). Of the total readmissions, 70.8% had MN compared to 29.2% that did not (p = 0.03). Survival among patients who did not survive one year after admission was lower when OD was given (Sig. = 0.04). More than half of the population studied has OD, as well as DN, which increases the rate of readmission and decreases survival at the year of admission. Although there are specific screening methods, their use is not widespread, making it difficult to diagnose OD and its therapeutic intervention. La disfagia orofaríngea (DO) y la desnutrición (DN) son muy prevalentes entre pacientes hospitalizados, las cuales tienen importantes repercusiones clínicas. Determinar la prevalencia, la supervivencia y los factores asociados a DO y DN en pacientes hospitalizados con alto riesgo de DO. Estudio observacional transversal con 82 pacientes ≥70 años y con posibilidad de alimentación vía oral ingresados en 4 servicios de un hospital de tercer nivel durante un periodo de 3 meses. Se les realizó el test de cribado Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) para la detección de riesgo nutricional y el método de exploración clínica volumen-viscosidad (MECV-V) para valoración de la DO. Se recogieron datos sobre la sospecha clínica de DO, días de estancia hospitalaria, el número de reingresos y otros datos sociodemográficos. El 50,6% presentaron DO y el 51,9% DN. En el 48,8% existió infradiagnóstico de DO. La mediana de días de ingreso fue mayor entre pacientes con DN (19,5 días vs 13 días, p = 0,02). Del total de reingresos, el 70,8% presentaban DN frente al 29,2% que no (p = 0,03). La