Dysphagia in Ischaemic Stroke Patients: One Centre Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Ischemic stroke frequently leads to secondary health complications.
• Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are a significant concern post-stroke, impacting patient outcomes.
• Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for dysphagia is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of dysphagia in ischemic stroke patients.
• To investigate the relationship between swallowing disorders and demographic/clinical factors.
• To assess the association between feeding methods and patient characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical documentation from ischemic stroke patients.
• Evaluation of demographic data, stroke risk factors, lesion location, and NIHSS scores.
• Assessment of feeding methods, including diet modification and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG).

Main Results:

• Dysphagia was present in 65.9% of the study cohort.
• Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor (91.8%).
• Diet modification (35.7%) and PEG (25%) were common feeding strategies for dysphagia patients. Older age correlated with PEG use, and 75% of PEG patients experienced pneumonia.

Conclusions:

• Dysphagia is highly prevalent in ischemic stroke survivors.
• Identifying swallowing difficulties early is essential for safe feeding and logopedics therapy.
• Timely intervention can mitigate complications such as pulmonary issues and improve swallowing function.