An Epidemiologic Study on Aging and Dysphagia in the Acute Care Hospitalized Population: 2000–2007

Abstract

From 2000 to 2007, dysphagia referrals across all ages increased by 20% each year, with more referrals for older (70.4%) than younger patients (29.6%). Referrals almost doubled for 80 to 89-year-old patients and more than tripled for patients over 90 years. This increase will necessitate additional trained dysphagia specialists at least through 2050 and probably longer.