Is Dysphagia Under Diagnosed or is Normal Swallowing More Variable than We Think? Reported Swallowing Problems in People Aged 18–65 Years

PURPOSE: Dysphagia prevalence in younger community dwelling adults and across nations is sparse. We investigated the prevalence of swallowing problems in an unselected cohort of people aged 18–65 years. METHODS: The EAT-10 Assessment Tool was converted into an anonymized online survey. Invitations were e-mailed to author contacts and onwards dispersal encouraged. Analysis was performed using non-parametric test for group comparison (Mann–Whitney U) and Spearman’s rho correlation. RESULTS: From March 2014 to October 2017: 2054 responses (32 reported ages outside of 18–65 or undeclared) from Africa, Asia, Australasia/Oceania, Europe, and North and South America. Responses: 1,648 female, 364 male, (10 reported as both), median age 34, (range 18–65, mean 37.12, SD 12.40) years. Total EAT-10 scores: median 0 (range 0–36, mean 1.57, SD 3.49). EAT-10 score ≥ 3 (337) median 5 (range 3–36, mean 7.02 SD 5.91). Median age 36 (range 19–65, mean 37.81, SD 13.21) years. Declared sex was not statistically significantly associated with non-pathological vs. pathological EAT-10 score (p = 0.665). Female scores (median 0.00, mean 1.56, SD 3.338) were significantly higher than for males (median 0.00, mean 1.62, SD 4.161): U (Nfemale = 1648, Nmale = 364) = 275,420.000, z = − 2.677, p = 0.007. Age and EAT-10 score were not associated: females r(s) = − 0.043, p = 0.079, N = 1648, males r(s) = − 0.003, p = 0.952, N = 364. Considerable impact on people: “I take ages to eat a main course … This is embarrassing and I often leave food even though I am still hungry.” (no diagnosis, EAT-10 = 17). CONCLUSION: Concerns regarding swallowing exist in people undiagnosed with dysphagia, who may feel uncomfortable seeking professional help. Dysphagia may be under reported resulting in a hidden population. Subtle changes are currently seen as subtle markers of COVID-19. Further work is required to ensure that what is an essentially normal swallow does not become medicalized.