To describe factors associated with the severity of post-stroke dysphagia.

We reviewed retrospectively medical records of patients having dysphagia following stroke in Seoul National University hospital from April 2002 through Dec 2009. A total of 578 patients (male and female, 331 and 247) were included. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed: patient's sex, age, type of stroke, onset of dysphagia, location of lesion and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System Swallowing Scale (ASHA NOMS). Using Binary logistic regression and multiple regression analysis, the relationship between dysphagia severity and other factors were analyzed.

Their average duration between onset of stroke and the date of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was 32.3 ± 18.4 days. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke (172 patients, ASHA 4.06 ± 1.98) showed poorer swallowing function than those with ischemic stroke (406 patients, ASHA 4.49 ± 2.02, p=0.013). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that patients who had longer duration from onset to the first study, hemorrhagic stroke, bilateral lesion and older age were at higher risk for dysphagia requiring non-oral supplements (p=0.031, 0.039, 0.042, and 0.043, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed that longer duration from onset to study, older age and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with the lower ASHA NOMS (p=0.006, 0.009 and 0.021, respectively). Bilateral lesion, sex, history of previous stroke and involvement of the brainstem, however, were not significant factors.

Hemorrhagic stroke, longer duration from stroke onset to the initial evaluation, and older age were identified as associated factors with the poorer swallowing function after stroke. Further prospective studies will be required to evaluate the prognostic value of these characteristics.