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What is the incidence rate of Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. Its usually caused by certain medicines or another condition. [1].

Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids, while others can’t swallow at all. [1].

Adults

Research found the following rates of prevalence and incidence for dysphagia [2]:

  • between 50-75% of nursing home residents
  • between 50-60% of head and neck cancer survivors
  • between 40-78% of stroke survivors – of those with initial dysphagia following stroke, 76% will remain with a moderate to severe dysphagia and 15%   with profound dysphagia
  • 48% of patients undergoing cervical discectomy and fusion
  • 33% of the people with multiple sclerosis
  • 27% of those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • 10% of acutely hospitalised older people
  • 5% of adults with a learning disability, 5% of community-based individuals with learning disabilities and 36% of hospital-based individuals.

 

Children

Most at risk of suffering from dysphagia in the paediatric segment include: infants, children and young people with neuro disability and those born prematurely. [3]

Recent research has found the incidence of feeding difficulties is [3]

  • between 25-45% in a typically developing paediatric population
  • between 31-99% for children with cerebral palsy
  • between 21-44% for children with general neurodevelopmental disabilities
  • between 26.8-40% of infants born prematurely
  • between 68-72% of children with acquired conditions during the acute phase of care.

 

ROS000057-007 DOP September 2025