Correlation study between tongue pressure and calf circumference in elderly hospitalized patients

WANG Jie; GUO Yan; SHEN Longfang; BO Yingying

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2096-501X.2025.04.016

Abstract：Objective To explore the relationship between tongue pressure and nutritional screening indicators(calf circumference,handgrip strength and gait speed)in elderly inpatients.Methods A total of 235 elderly inpatients from a tertiary elderly hospital were recruited by convenience sampling.They were divided into the low tongue pressure group(n=119)and the high tongue pressure group(n=116)based on the median of the maximum tongue pressure(MTP)at 35.45 kPa.Data were collected on demographics,MTP,calf circumference,grip strength and gait speed,activities of daily living and comorbidity burden.Data analyses were performed using t-test,Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic regression.Results The average age of the patients was(77.55±8.55)years,with 128 males(54.47%).The average MTP was(35.13±13.12)kPa.Patients in the decreased tongue pressure group were older,had lower levels of albumin and hemoglobin,and had more comorbidities.They had a higher proportion of a history of choking while drinking water,lower handgrip strength,slower gait speed,and a lower proportion of individuals capable of independent living.Logistic regression analysis showed that increased age and decreased calf circumference(less than 34 cm for men and less than 33 cm for women)were independent risk factors for reduced tongue pressure.Each additional year of age increases the risk of decreased tongue pressure by 6.6%,while low calf circumference increases the risk by 88.8%.Conclusions Reduced calf circumference is related to the decreased tongue pressure in elderly inpatients.Clinical practitioners ought to take note of this correlation to identify dysphagia in the early phases.