Risk Factors for Post Stroke Dysphagia

Objectives: To assess the relationship between different risk factors and the development of post-stroke dysphagia. Background: Stroke is the third-most common cause of death worldwide. Post-stroke dysphagia affects more than 50% of stroke survivors. Early identification of stroke survivors with dysphagia helps to reduce morbidity and mortality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Menoufia University Hospital from September 2022 to March 2023 on 68 patients admitted with ischemic stroke. Different risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac risk factors, smoking, and lesion sites in brain neuroimaging, were studied to find out their relationship with the development of post-stroke dysphagia. Results: This study was conducted on 68 acute ischemic stroke patients. The mean total admission NIHSS ± SD for patients with ischemic stroke with dysphagia was significantly higher (12.5 ± 6.2) than that in patients without dysphagia (4.6 ± 3.3 with P < 0.001). Hypertension (p = 0.048), white matter lesions (p = 0.002), and brain atrophy (P = 0.013) were significantly higher in dysphagic than non-dysphagic patients. Conclusion: High NIHSS on admission, hypertension, white matter lesions, and brain atrophy were more prevalent in post-stroke dysphagia and may be considered risk factors.