Effects of age, gender, disease, and multisystem involvement on oxygen saturation levels in dysphagic persons

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of age, gender, disease, and multisystem involvement on SpO(2) levels of 104 dysphagic patients and 77 nondysphagic persons. Results indicated that solid aspirators had lower SpO(2) levels than liquid aspirators, penetrators, and nondysphagics. In addition, SpO(2) levels varied by age, with older persons having lower levels than younger persons among dysphagics but not among nondysphagics. Patients with COPD had lower SpO(2) levels than dysphagics with other disorders. Significant interactions were found among age, gender, and disease. Multisystem involvement was found not to be a factor in SpO(2) levels. It was concluded that although normal aging processes reduce swallowing and pulmonary functioning, it became a significant factor only when combined with an assault to the system, such as CVA or COPD.