Dysphagia and disability in minor strokes - An institutional study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Stroke Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Minor strokes (NIHSS ≤5) are typically considered non-disabling with favorable prognoses.
• However, post-stroke complications like dysphagia can affect functional recovery.
• Understanding dysphagia in minor stroke is essential for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and predictors of dysphagia in minor stroke patients.
• To assess the impact of dysphagia on functional outcomes at various follow-up intervals.
• To identify factors associated with unfavorable outcomes in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A single-center retrospective study analyzed 147 minor stroke patients with a 1-year follow-up.
• Data collected included clinical details, neuroimaging, and functional outcomes.
• Statistical analysis identified predictors of dysphagia and outcome.

Main Results:

• 19% of minor stroke patients experienced significant dysphagia, with 10 requiring nasogastric tube feeding.
• Admission NIHSS and white matter changes predicted dysphagia.
• Dysphagia and diabetes predicted short-term outcomes; dysphagia, female gender, and white matter changes predicted long-term unfavorable outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Minor strokes can lead to significant, albeit often temporary, dysphagia in a notable patient subset.
• Dysphagia necessitates short-term feeding support and is linked to poorer short- and long-term functional outcomes.
• This highlights the need for vigilant assessment and management of dysphagia even in seemingly minor stroke events.