Prevalence, Severity, and Predictors of Dysphagia among Patients with Acute Stroke in Thi-Qar, Iraq

Dysphagia constitutes a complication of acute stroke, with incidence rates ranging from 25% to 60%. The complex swallowing process encompasses oral preparation, oral transport, and the pharyngeal and esophageal phases. The present study population is comprised of 266 stroke patients who were admitted to various hospitals in Thi-Qar, Iraq, from June 2020 to June 2022 and from 2024. The age range of patients in this study was from 20 to 60 years, with patients younger than 20 years and those with previous swallowing dysfunction excluded. Informed consent was obtained from all patients and their families. Patients' age, gender, body mass index, smoking history, and medical history (hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke history) were collected. The stroke severity scale, according to NIHSS, was also evaluated. In addition to the direct swallowing test, which is performed based on food characteristics, in order of paste, liquid, and solid food, with a maximum of five points allocated for each category, the swallowing status of the patient was observed, with particular attention paid to the occurrence of coughing, drooling, or changes in voice. This information was then recorded. The total score possible for the test is 20 points, and a total score of ≤9 points is considered to indicate a swallowing disorder. Dysphagia currently impacts a substantial portion for stroke patients as well as may had a large impact on overall clinical outcomes and mortality