Aceitação da alimentação por via oral em adultos e idosos hospitalizados e relação com a disfagia

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the acceptance to oral feeding in hospitalized adults and elderly and the association with dysphagia. This is a longitudinal, observational, descriptive and quantitative study, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution (5.640.721). Participants were male and female patients admitted toa university hospital, over 18 years of age, with exclusive or partial oral pathway. Data were collected from electronic medical records, anamneses, and the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was applied. The participants filled out a form during hospitalization with the level of acceptance of the diet in the main daily meals. Statistical analysis with Pearson's Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman's Correlation (5% significance level). Thirty-five subjects participated, with a mean age of 61 years. The mean number of days of hospitalization was 29 days with a mean completion of five days. There was a prevalence of elderly patients, female, at risk for dysphagia by EAT-10 and with complaints, with functional swallowing by clinical evaluation, followed by mild dysphagia, and Functional Oral Intake Scale level 5, with soft oral pathway, no alternative feeding route on the first and last day of filling out the form, and outcome of hospital discharge.Patients who stayed longer in the hospital, with dysphagia and alternative feeding route accepted the diets less. It is concluded that adults and elderly patients of the present sample presented lower acceptance of oral diet during hospitalization, as well as presence of complaints and risk for dysphagia and swallowing disorders.