ASA classification linked with dysphagia in older patients with hip fractures

Results from this study indicated dysphagia was common among older patients with hip fractures and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification was a predictor of dysphagia. Researchers also found the condition correlated with pulmonary complications.

Researchers retrospectively reviewed the charts of 52 patients with a mean age of 81 years who were surgically treated for acute hip fractures. During the perioperative period, investigators conducted a bedside swallow, speech and language pathology evaluation and identified 22 patients with dysphagia. Of these, eight patients had pulmonary aspiration.

Investigators used the Fisher’s exact test and the chi-square tests to determine correlations between patient age and sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, dysphagia, pulmonary aspiration, pneumonia and aspiration pneumonitis. Predictors for dysphagia were evaluated with a logistic regression model.

Univariate analysis showed there was an association between dysphagia and ASA classification, age and severe outcomes. Dysphagia also was significantly correlated with pulmonary aspiration, pneumonia and aspiration pneumonitis.

According to logistic regression results, ASA III and IV were significant predictors for dysphagia. There was a significant difference in the rate of dysphagia found between ASA III and IV patients aged younger than 80 years and those aged older than 80 years. Investigators found three cases out of 11 patients in the younger group vs. 18 cases out of 27 patients in the older group.  ‒ by Monica Jaramillo

 

Disclosures: Meals reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.