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Neck circumference is not associated with dysphagia but with undernutrition in elderly individuals requiring long-term care

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

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Abstract

Objectives

The purpose was to assess the association between neck circumference, dysphagia, and undernutrition in elderly individuals requiring long-term care.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Geriatric health services facilities, acute hospitals, and the community.

Participants

Elderly individuals ≥65 years of age with dysphagia or possible dysphagia (N=385).

Measurements

Neck circumference, the Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF).

Results

Participants included 130 males and 255 females with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 83 ± 8.0 years. Sixty-six were in acute hospitals, 195 were in geriatric health services facilities, and 124 were community-dwelling. The mean neck circumference in males and females was 37.1 ± 3.0 cm and 33.3 ± 3.3 cm, respectively. Based on the DSS, 81 participants were within normal limits, 137 had dysphagia without aspiration, and 167 had dysphagia with aspiration. The MNA-SF revealed that 173 were malnourished, 172 were at risk of malnutrition, and 40 had a normal nutritional status. Neck circumference was not significantly correlated with the DSS (r=−0.080) but was significantly correlated with the MNA-SF (r=0.183) in the Spearman rank correlation analysis. In the logistic regression, neck circumference was not independently associated with the DSS after adjusting for the MNA-SF, the Barthel Index, age, sex, setting, and cerebrovascular disorders. However, the multiple regression analysis showed that neck circumference had an independent effect on the MNA-SF after adjusting for the Barthel Index, age, sex, setting and cerebrovascular disorders.

Conclusions

Neck circumference is not associated with dysphagia but with undernutrition in elderly individuals requiring long-term care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-chou, Minami ward, Yokohama City, Japan, 232-0024

    Hidetaka Wakabayashi

  2. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Hidetaka Wakabayashi & M. Matsushima

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  1. Hidetaka Wakabayashi
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Correspondence to Hidetaka Wakabayashi.

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Wakabayashi, H., Matsushima, M. Neck circumference is not associated with dysphagia but with undernutrition in elderly individuals requiring long-term care. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 355–360 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0587-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0587-8

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