Dysphagia following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: A prospective pilot study

Whilst dysphagia is a commonly reported complication of stroke, it has received relatively little attention in the literature for patients following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).

To investigate dysphagia incidence, risk factors, clinical progression and recovery in patients following non-traumatic SAH.

A prospective cohort study of 49 patients admitted to a tertiary neurosurgical referral unit with non-traumatic SAH over a 12-month period was conducted. Swallowing function was assessed by a speech-language pathologist within 72 h of medical stability and monitored throughout the acute inpatient admission.

Dysphagia incidence was 16.33% (n = 8/49). Risk factors associated with dysphagia included; Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of ICU stay, need for intubation and ventilation, and hydrocephalus. Participants with dysphagia were admitted to hospital 1.9 times longer than those without dysphagia (p < 0.05) and were more likely to be transferred to another inpatient facility for ongoing care (p < 0.05). Dysphagia remained present at hospital discharge for over half (62.5%) of participants who developed this complication.

Care pathways for patients admitted to hospital with non-traumatic SAH should include early screening for dysphagia risk. Further research using a larger prospective cohort is required to validate dysphagia incidence and risk factors in this patient cohort. What this paper adds What is already known on this subject Dysphagia is a negative complication following non-traumatic SAH, and can occur as a result of primary injury or secondary to treatment complications (e.g., intubation and ventilation, surgical intervention). However, limited evidence regarding its incidence, risk factors, clinical progression and recovery in a prospective cohort exists. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study is the first to examine prospectively patients with non-traumatic SAH within 72 h of medical stability. It identifies dysphagia incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and recovery during the acute hospital admission for this patient cohort. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Early and regular screening for dysphagia in the presence of associated risk factors is essential for patients admitted with non-traumatic SAH. Speech-language pathologist resources in the neurocritical care context should be available to support the assessment and management of dysphagia in this cohort.