Consequence of Dysphagia in the Hospitalized Patient

Objective:Todetermineifcomorbiddysphagiainallhospitalizedpatientshasthepotentialtoprolonghospitalstay and increase morbidity. Dysphagia is increasingly prevalent with age and comorbid medical conditions. Our researchgrouphaspreviouslyshownthatdysphagiaisabad prognostic indicator in patients with stroke. Design: Analysis of national database. Main Outcome Measures: The National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS), 2005-2006, was evaluated for presence of dysphagia and the most common comorbid medicalconditions.Patientdemographics,associateddisease,lengthofhospitalstay,morbidityandmortalitywere also evaluated. Results: There were over 77 million estimated hospital admissionsintheperiodevaluated,ofwhich271983were associated with dysphagia. Dysphagia was most commonlyassociatedwithfluidorelectrolytedisorder,esophagealdisease,stroke,aspirationpneumonia,urinarytract infection,andcongestiveheartfailure.Themediannumber of hospitalization days for all patients with dysphagia was 4.04 compared with 2.40 days for those patients without dysphagia. Mortality increased substantially in patients with dysphagia associated with rehabilitation, intervertebral disk disorders, and heart diseases. Conclusions:Dysphagiahasasignificantimpactonhospitallengthofstayandisabadprognosticindicator.Early recognition of dysphagia and intervention in the hospitalized patient is advised to reduce morbidity and length of hospital stay.