Relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia, nutritional status, antioxidant vitamins and the inflammatory response in adults and elderly: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Clinical nutrition ESPEN Vol. 38; pp. 211 - 217
• Main Authors: Homem, Suellen Guesser, Moreira, Emilia Addison Machado, da Silva, Alice Freitas, Barni, Gabriela Cristofoli, da Rosa, Julia Salvan, Oliveira, Diane de Lima, Tomio, Camila, de Freitas, Maiara Brusco, Portari, Guilherme Vannucchi, Furkim, Ana Maria, Moreno, Yara Maria Franco, Fröde, Tânia Silvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2020
• Subjects: Antioxidants; CRP; Deglutition disorders; MPO; NOx; Nutritional status; CRP; OR; BF; CG; EI; TNF-alpha; DM; IQR; IL-1β; Deglutition disorders; MPO; IL-6; Antioxidants; FFQ; FOIS; ODG; 95%CI; OD; NOx; OF; Nutritional status; BMI
• ISSN: 2405-4577; 2405-4577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.04.011

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) can lead to a deficiency of antioxidant micronutrients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between OD and nutritional status, antioxidant vitamins (β-carotene, vitamin E and C) and serum markers of the inflammatory response [C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6] in adults and elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 69 individuals: 22 in the control group (CG) and 47 in the OD group (ODG). The ODG was subdivided into ODG-mild = normal oral feeding (OF, n = 14), ODG-moderate (OF-modified, n = 22) and ODG-severe (OF-suspended, n = 11). Associations were investigated using multiple linear regression. The body mass index (BMI) was higher in the ODG compared to the CG (p = 0.008), independently of sex, age, energy intake (EI) and score on the Functional Independence Measure. BMI was significantly lower in the ODG-severe compared to the ODG-mild (p = 0.012). OD was associated with lower concentrations of β-carotene (p < 0.001) and vitamin C (p < 0.001), independently of sex, age and EI, and higher concentrations of MPO (p = 0.008) and NOx (p = 0.011), independently of sex, age and the presence of comorbidities. Adults and elderly with OD have lower levels of antioxidant vitamins (β-carotene and vitamin C) and a high inflammatory response (MPO and NOx). The evaluation of antioxidant vitamins could be incorporated in nutritional status assessment in this population. •Functional capacity is diminished in oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD).•Overweight and obesity were more prevalent than malnutrition.•Lower median body mass index and body fat were found in the severe OD.•Nutritional status is prejudiced when oral feeding was suspended.