Download PDF
Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29(04): s00451810025
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810025
Original Research

Self-Reported Dysphagia and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux among a Community-Dwelling Elderly Rural Population

Authors

  • Giorgos Sideris

    1   Second Otolaryngology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

  • Melina Kourklidou 

    1   Second Otolaryngology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

  • John Plioutas

    1   Second Otolaryngology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

  • Ilias Georgantis

    1   Second Otolaryngology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

  • Eleni Petridou

    2   Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

  • Alexander Delides 

    1   Second Otolaryngology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research.
Further Information
Also available at
  Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

Introduction

There is a lack of community-dwelling population-based examinations of geriatric dysphagia and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Objective

To assess the prevalence of geriatric dysphagia and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in a community-dwelling population from a rural area.

Methods

Volunteers from Velestino, a 4,000-person community, were given the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaires at the health center. Demographic, medical, and pharmaceutical histories were recorded.

Results

160 participants (92 females, 68 males) self-presented. Ages were between 65–95 years (Mean 76.04). 27 (16.88%) scored an abnormal EAT-10 and 13 (8.13%) RSI over 13. RSI was statistically correlated with total and positive only EAT-10 scores. Age and gender did not affect EAT-10 or RSI scores. The EAT-10 score decreased with age progression.

Conclusion

This is one of the few studies to investigate the relationship between geriatric dysphagia and LPR in a rural population. A 23.0% prevalence of dysphagia was observed in elderly adults as well as an increase in both EAT-10 and RSI scores with age progression. More studies are needed to explore this field.

Keywords

dysphagia - laryngopharyngeal reflux - epidemiology - elderly

Authors' Contribution

Conceptualization: E.P and A.D.; Formal analysis and investigation: J.P. and I.G.; Methodology: G.S. and A.D.; Supervision: E.P. and A.D.; Visualization: M.K.; Writing - original draft preparation: G.S. and A.D.; Writing - review and editing: G.S., M.K., E.P. and A.D.


Ethics Statement

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Athens University Medical School and the Peripheral General Hospital of Volos with reference number 10161/01-07-2013. All participants signed an informed consent.




Publication History

Received: 20 March 2024

Accepted: 24 May 2025

Article published online:
09 October 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Rua Rego Freitas, 175, loja 1, República, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01220-010, Brazil

Bibliographical Record
Giorgos Sideris, Melina Kourklidou, John Plioutas, Ilias Georgantis, Eleni Petridou, Alexander Delides. Self-Reported Dysphagia and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux among a Community-Dwelling Elderly Rural Population. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29: s00451810025.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810025