Influence of dysphagia on short-term outcome in patients with acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether dysphagia present at initial swallowing evaluation is associated with the type of diet eaten at the time of discharge and the location to which the patient is transferred after discharge.

DESIGN

A total of 409 newly diagnosed acute stroke patients were studied.

RESULTS

After hospital discharge, 140 patients returned home, 250 were transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation, and 7 were admitted to a nursing home. Twelve patients died. A total of 205 patients were on a regular diet, 96 were receiving a dysphagia diet, and 96 were on enteral feeding at discharge. A total of 90.7% (127/140) of patients who were discharged home were on a regular diet. Most of the patients on a dysphagia diet or enteral feeding could not return home. The scores of the functional independence measure were higher in the patients who returned to their homes than in other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although it is necessary to indicate other factors, such as the physical status to establish better rehabilitation networks, clinical assessment of swallowing in acute stroke is very important to determine whether the patients can go home directly.