Dysphagia in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of dysphagia in acute ischemic stroke and relation with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS). Methods: The data of 54 patients with acute ischemic stroke were retrospectively analyzed. Glasgow Coma Scores were recorded. Modified Massey Bedside Swallow Screen (MBSS) was used for the diagnosis of dysphagia. For statistical evaluation MedCalc 15.8 software program (MedCalcBelgium) was used. Results: Fifty-four patients (n: 54) with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the study were followed up in our hospital Neurology Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Fortynine of the patients were alive, transferred to our service, then discharged. Twenty-six patients had dysphagia (48.1%) while 28 patients did not have dysphagia (51.9%). Glasgow Coma Scores were lower in patients with dysphagia (r=-0.628, p<0.0001. Moreover, survival was inversely correlated with dysphagia (r=-0.331, p= 0.014). Conclusions: Swallowing disorders can be associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke in intensive care unit. It is also associated with survival and GCS. Dysphagia is common in ICU patients and should be carefully diagnosed since it can be an independent predictor of death.