<b>Factors Related to Dysphagia among Community-Dwelling </b><b>Older Adults: A Scoping Review Protocol</b>

BackgroundWith the global increase in life expectancy and a growing population of older adults, there is an accompanying rise in age-related health challenges. One such challenge is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which is prevalent among community-dwelling older adults (ranging from 5% to 72%). Notably, many cases occur in individuals without identifiable neurological, neuromuscular, or structural diseases, leading to underrecognition and undertreatment.AimThe main objective of this project is to identify and summarize the factors related to dysphagia in older adults living in community settings. MethodologyThis scoping review follows the Arksey and O'Malley framework and adheres to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines.1. Research QuestionWhat is the existing evidence on factors related to dysphagia among community-dwelling older adults?2. Eligibility CriteriaInclusion: Studies on adults aged 60+, living in the community, using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.Exclusion: Studies involving known causes of dysphagia (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s), institutionalized settings (e.g., nursing homes), review articles, editorials, and abstracts.3. Data Sources and Search StrategyDatabases: Embase, Ovid-Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library.Search terms included synonyms of: <i>aged</i>, <i>dysphagia</i>, and <i>community</i>.The search was conducted in April 2025, limited to English-language publications.4. Study Selection1,043 articles identified.420 duplicates removed.623 screened; 44 full texts sought; 39 obtained; 23 included.Screening was done independently by two reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving any disagreements.5. Data ExtractionKey data points included:Author(s), year, location, study design.Participant demographics and characteristics.Dysphagia-related factors.Expected OutcomesThe project aims to:Provide a comprehensive overview of factors contributing to dysphagia in older adults.Support the early identification of at-risk individuals.Lay the foundation for preventive strategies and screening guidelines tailored for the community-dwelling older population.