Dysphagia: a geriatric syndrome?

Abstract

Dysphagia is a common condition in the elderly but often not systematically explored. The "geriatric syndromes" refer to the multifactorial health conditions that occur when the cumulative effects of functional disorders of multiple systems make an individual vulnerable to face the challenges of situations. This article assumes that dysphagia is a geriatric syndrome and provides arguments in favor of it. In this context its' approach requires screening followed by an interdisciplinary management involving various professional geriatric teams.

Keywords: comprehensive geriatric assessment; dysphagia; geriatric syndrome.