Impaired Swallowing in Hospitalized Patients: An Observational Study in a Community Hospital in Japan (2012-2014).

Background: Dysphagia is a serious health problem in aging populations. Older persons also experience high rates of chronic illness and hospitalization. Accurate identification of dysphagia at the time of hospital admission is important for providing supportive interventions for effective swallowing and preventing complications of dysphagia.