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The Prevalence of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

To determine the global prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in adults. Six electronic databases (Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched, in addition to gray literature (ASHA, Google Scholar, ProQuest Dissertation, and Theses). A random-effects model for meta-analysis of proportions was conducted, and heterogeneity was evaluated according to the moderator variable through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Thirty papers were included for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The combined prevalence estimate was 60% [CI 95% = 50%–70%; I2 = 95%], accounting for different baseline conditions. However, the wide variation that exists between the different baseline conditions (underlying disease or risk factor) tended to overestimate this prevalence when considering the general population. Only one study evaluated healthy individuals, which showed a prevalence of 31% [CI95% = 27%–36%]. The risk of bias was considered low for all studies. None of the variables were considered predictors for the observed variance between the effect sizes of the included studies. For the prevalence of OD, the GRADE rating was considered very low. Despite the high prevalence observed, with over half of the individuals affected, the evidence regarding this outcome remains uncertain due to an overestimation of the generated estimates caused by the baseline condition of the sample.

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Data Availability

Data sharing is not applicable, as secondary data drawn from published literature were used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Communication Disorders, Center for Advanced Studies in Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - NARSM, Tuiuti University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil

    Marcos Ribeiro, Paloma Alves Miquilussi, Flávio Magno Gonçalves, José Stechman-Neto, Cristiano Miranda de Araujo, Giselle Massi & Rosane Sampaio Santos

  2. Department of Morphology- Center of Biosciences, University of Notre Dame, 100 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, USA

    Karinna Veríssimo Meira Taveira

  3. Postgraduate Program in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies in Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – NARSM, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

    Karinna Veríssimo Meira Taveira

  4. Department of Dentistry, Center for Advanced Studies in Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – NARSM, Curitiba, Brazil

    Weslania Viviane Nascimento & Angela Graciela Deliga Schroder

  5. Avenida Diederichsen, 864. Apt: 172, Vila Guarani – South Zone, São Paulo, SP, 04310-000, Brazil

    Marcos Ribeiro

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  1. Marcos Ribeiro
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Correspondence to Marcos Ribeiro.

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Ribeiro, M., Miquilussi, P.A., Gonçalves, F.M. et al. The Prevalence of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Dysphagia 39, 163–176 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-023-10608-8

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