Who is Affected?

How Prevalent is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia impacts people of all age groups and is present as a consequence of a number of conditions. Many times dysphagia can be present without the person realizing they have a medical condition.  For example, you might notice an elderly relative suddenly having difficulty eating their favorite food, or avoiding food altogether.  The quality of a dear friend’s voice might grow increasingly hoarse.  They might cough a lot and have recurring respiratory infections.  All of these situations could point to dysphagia.  See the section “Dysphagia Symptons” to better understand some of the signs of this condition.

Dysphagia by the numbers…

  • US estimate: 15 million (ASHA 1994)
  • The prevalence may be as high as 22% in those over 50 years of age. (ASHA 2008)
  • 61% of adults admitted to an acute trauma center may have dysphagia (ASHA 2008)
  • 50 to 75 percent of stroke patients and 60 to 70 percent of patients who undergo radiation therapy for head and neck cancer have dysphagia. (Mann et al. 2000; Nguyen et al. 2006; Nguyen et al. 2008)
  • Dysphagia is prevalent in such neurological diseases as Parkinson’s Disease-  20-40% of patients with this condition have dysphagia. (ASHA 2008)
  • Over 30% of individuals with multiple sclerosis experience swallowing problems (ASHA 2008).

Dysphagia can arise from a wide variety of causes which can include:

  • stroke and other cerebral vascular accidents
  • traumatic head injury
  • spinal cord injury
  • meningitis and brain tumors
  • head, neck, and esophageal cancers and their treatment (e.g., radiation)
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS)
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Polymyositis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • respiratory conditions (e.g., Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • weakness due to a decreased medical condition

Dysphagia is especially prevalent among the elderly; for instance, studies suggest that up to 75 percent of nursing home residents experience some degree of dysphagia, and that as many as half of all Americans over 60 will experience dysphagia at some point after that age.(Shanley and O'Loughlin 2000)

In September, 2008, research was presented demonstrating the high incidence, and under-diagnosis, of dysphagia among the elderly.  Click here to read a summary of that research.

Dysphagia also seriously impacts family and loved ones who must adapt their daily schedule to prepare special meals or learn to administer meals via a PEG tube.  These realities add stress and cost to our daily lives.  Information in this website is designed to make you better informed about dysphagia and show you what options might be available to you or your loved ones.

Dysphagia is also a familiar pediatric condition – for example, infants born with abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism may not be able to swallow normally; infants who are born with a cleft palate are unable to suck properly, which complicates breast-feeding and drinking from a regular baby bottle.

References

  • ASHA Communication Facts: Special Populations: Dysphagia- 2008 Edition. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2008.
  • ASHA. Prevalence of speech, voice and language disorders in the United States. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1994.
  • Mann G, Hankey GJ, and Cameron D. Swallowing disorders following acute stroke: prevalence and diagnostic accuracy. Cerebrovasc Dis 10: 380-386, 2000.
  • Nguyen NP, Frank C, Moltz CC, Vos P, Smith HJ, Bhamidipati PV, Karlsson U, Nguyen PD, Alfieri A, Nguyen LM, Lemanski C, Chan W, Rose S, and Sallah S. Aspiration rate following chemoradiation for head and neck cancer: an underreported occurrence. Radiother Oncol 80: 302-306, 2006.
  • Nguyen NP, Moltz CC, Frank C, Vos P, Smith HJ, Karlsson U, Nguyen LM, Rose S, Dutta S, Nguyen N, and Sallah S. Long-term aspiration following treatment for head and neck cancer. Oncology 74: 25-30, 2008.
  • Shanley C, and O'Loughlin G. Dysphagia among nursing home residents: an assessment and management protocol. J Gerontol Nurs 26: 35-48, 2000.