OBJECTIVES:

Dysphagia is most common in older adults or those with comorbidities. Similar conditions include odynophagia and presbyphagia. Previous surveys found a drug’s formulation can be as important for such patients as its active ingredients, affecting adherence to medications and impacting health. We estimate the prevalence of difficulty swallowing in four countries: Brazil, China, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom (UK), and evaluate dosage form preferences among UK patients.

METHODS:

We conducted an online survey between October and November 2021 in four nations. The core panel of questions investigated the prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed dysphagia via the EAT-10 assessment. The expanded panel investigated patient preferences for different dosage forms among UK respondents only.

RESULTS:

Of 4,000 respondents who participated in this survey, 36.9%, 40.5%, 54.9%, and 64.5% from UK, Indonesia, Brazil, and China, respectively had an EAT-10 score of ≥3 (indicative of dysphagia). Only 2% of UK respondents and 5% of Brazil respondents reported a formal diagnosis of dysphagia. Indonesian (74%) and Chinese respondents (77%) were more likely than Brazilian (52%) and UK respondents (45%) to report that their swallowing problems affected their ability to adhere to medication instructions. Patient preferences analysis showed that respondents taking oral medication were more likely to have taken capsules (80%) and pills/tablets (79%) than liquids (59%) or tablets that dissolve in the mouth (50%). Liquids (mean, 20.81) were the most preferred formulation by those who reported difficulty swallowing, either directly or by an EAT-10 score of 3 or greater; in individuals with no dysphagia, tablets that dissolve (mean, 37.81) were the most preferred dosage form.

CONCLUSIONS:

Substantial patient populations have difficulty swallowing which can translate into an access issue for medical treatment. Availability of patient-preferred dosage forms may help alleviate adherence issues associated with dysphagia and the concomitant effects on health outcomes.