J Korean Dysphagia Soc.  2022 Jul;12(2):115-122. 10.34160/jkds.2022.12.2.005.

Natural Course of Swallowing Recovery and Associated Factors in Post-Ischemic Stroke Dysphagia

• Suh JW
• Lim HS
• Kim DK
• Lee HS
• Lee YT
• Park YS
• Park CH
• Yoon KJ

• KMID: 2532237
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.34160/jkds.2022.12.2.005

Abstract

Objective
To identify factors associated with swallowing recovery in patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke.
Methods
Patients admitted to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from 2011 to 2019 for first acute ischemic stroke and dysphagia, as confirmed by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients whose Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) level was ＜6 as determined by VFSS were monitored in a dysphagia clinic and additional VFSS was performed periodically until one year after stroke. Follow-up was discontinued when the DOSS level reached 6 or 7. The main study outcomes were full recovery and tube removal rate. Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors of dysphagia. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate curves of the proportions of patients that achieved full recovery.
Results
One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled. Multivariate analysis showed that only initial DOSS was significantly associated with swallowing recovery (13.0% for non-oral feeding vs. 35.6 % for a modified diet).
Conclusion
Initial swallowing status (as determined by VFSS findings) is strongly associated with swallowing recovery in post-ischemic stroke patients. Assessments of dysphagia are important for predicting dysphagia recovery and planning management strategies.

Keyword

Dysphagia; Recovery; Stroke