Abstract
Early detection and intervention for dysphagia is important in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, previous studies have focused on how many patients with dysphagia develop CHF. Studies focusing on the comorbidity of dysphagia in patients with CHF are rare. Additionally, risk factors for dysphagia in patients with CHF are unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify risk factors for dysphagia in patients with acute exacerbation of CHF. A total of 105 patients, who were admitted with acute exacerbation of CHF, were enrolled. Clinical interviews, blood chemistry analysis, electrocardiography, echocardiography, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), exercise tolerance tests, phonatory function tests, and evaluation of activities of daily living (ADL) and nutrition were conducted on admission. After attending physicians permitted the drinking of water, swallowing screening tests were performed. Patients were divided into a dysphagia group (DG) or a non-dysphagia group (non-DG) based on Functional Oral Intake Scale level. Among the 105 patients, 38 had dysphagia. A greater number of patients had history of aspiration pneumonia and dementia, and there was a higher age, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level in the DG compared with the non-DG. MMSE scores, exercise tolerance, phonatory function, status of ADL, nutrition, albumin, and transthyretin were lower in the DG compared with the non-DG. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age and sex, MMSE, BI score, and transthyretin was independently associated with dysphagia. Comorbidity of dysphagia was 36.1% in patients with acute exacerbation of CHF, and cognitive dysfunction and malnutrition may be an independent predictor of dysphagia.
Highlights
Heart failure is a global public health problem
The mean Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) level in the dysphagia group (DG) was significantly lower compared with the non-dysphagia group (non-DG) (3.3 ± 1.1 vs. 6.8 ± 0.4 P
The DG had significantly lower prehospital FOIS compared with the non-DG (6.2 ± 0.9 vs. 6.8 ± 0.4 P
Summary
Heart failure is a global public health problem. In the United States alone, the prevalence is 5.7 million, with 870,000 new cases diagnosed each year [1]. In Japan, the increasing number of patients with heart failure is concerning. The number of Japanese outpatients with left ventricular dysfunction was 979,000 in 2005 [2]. It is projected that the incidence of left ventricular dysfunction will first rapidly and gradually increase to a peak of 1.32 million patients by 2035, with a rapid acceleration occurring by 2020 [2]. Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients having various comorbidity and medical history has been increasing. A various comorbidity occurs in patients with acute exacerbation of CHF various comorbidity and one is a dysphagia
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