Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older adults: A review

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an underestimated symptom in geriatric population. Neurological and neuromuscular diseases, but also structural causes and iatrogenesis are its main and more frequent causes. This symptom should not be neglected, as it may significantly impair the swallowing process and therefore cause malnutrition, dehydration and even worse lead to aspiration pneumonia. Clinical presentation is often insidious and dysphagia's symptoms are seldom mentioned by elder patients. Bedside screening methods could help select the patients needing through instrumental testing, in order to confirm oropharyngeal dysphagia. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary comprehensive assessment could lead to personalized therapeutic interventions, according to the patient's particularities and wishes.