Self-reported complaints regarding swallowing and therapeutic follow-up of adults and older adults from a Brazilian primary health care unit
1
Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Human Communication, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
2
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Swallowing disorders can have a significant impact on physical and emotional health1. Despite its clinical relevance, swallowing care is inadequately approached in primary care, which is responsible for promotion, prevention, and coordination of care in the Brazilian Unified Health System2. The aim of this study was to verify the profile, swallowing complaints, and therapeutic follow-up of adults and older adults attending a primary care unit.
METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional study, approved by the institutional Research Ethics Committee. The sample size was of 310 people, 18 years and older, considering a refusal rate of 15%. Data collection included a questionnaire on sociodemographic and health profile, swallowing complaints, and therapeutic follow-up. In the statistical treatment, descriptive analysis was performed, and Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used.
RESULTS:
The study included 277 participants, with a mean age of 42.1 years (±16.2), predominantly female (74%), white (65%), employed (70.8%), with completed high school (44%), chronic diseases (40%), and medication use (46%). 27.4% reported at least one swallowing-related complaint. The most frequent complaints included throat clearing (16.6%), choking (15.2%), and coughing during or after meals (13.7%), and difficulty chewing (11.6%). Chronic diseases were associated with difficulty chewing (p=0.034) and choking (p=0.006). Lower educational level was associated with difficulty chewing (p=0.018) and swallowing (p=0.013). Coughing and throat clearing were more frequent among who had attended primary care recently (p=0.026). Only 1.4% sought specialized care for these issues.
CONCLUSIONS:
Almost one-third of the participants presented swallowing-related complaints, with low demand for treatment. Associations were observed between self-reported complaints and low educational attainment and chronic diseases. This reinforces the need for initiatives that consider swallowing care in a comprehensive approach, starting from primary care.
Swallowing disorders can have a significant impact on physical and emotional health1. Despite its clinical relevance, swallowing care is inadequately approached in primary care, which is responsible for promotion, prevention, and coordination of care in the Brazilian Unified Health System2. The aim of this study was to verify the profile, swallowing complaints, and therapeutic follow-up of adults and older adults attending a primary care unit.
METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional study, approved by the institutional Research Ethics Committee. The sample size was of 310 people, 18 years and older, considering a refusal rate of 15%. Data collection included a questionnaire on sociodemographic and health profile, swallowing complaints, and therapeutic follow-up. In the statistical treatment, descriptive analysis was performed, and Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used.
RESULTS:
The study included 277 participants, with a mean age of 42.1 years (±16.2), predominantly female (74%), white (65%), employed (70.8%), with completed high school (44%), chronic diseases (40%), and medication use (46%). 27.4% reported at least one swallowing-related complaint. The most frequent complaints included throat clearing (16.6%), choking (15.2%), and coughing during or after meals (13.7%), and difficulty chewing (11.6%). Chronic diseases were associated with difficulty chewing (p=0.034) and choking (p=0.006). Lower educational level was associated with difficulty chewing (p=0.018) and swallowing (p=0.013). Coughing and throat clearing were more frequent among who had attended primary care recently (p=0.026). Only 1.4% sought specialized care for these issues.
CONCLUSIONS:
Almost one-third of the participants presented swallowing-related complaints, with low demand for treatment. Associations were observed between self-reported complaints and low educational attainment and chronic diseases. This reinforces the need for initiatives that consider swallowing care in a comprehensive approach, starting from primary care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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