Cough Reflex Induced with Citric Acid in Post-stroke Dysphagia Patients and Healthy Adults / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the application of cough reflex testing with various concentrations of citric acid for dysphagia post stroke. Methods 20 normal controls (NC), 20 stroke patients with dysphagia (SD) and 20 stroke patients without dysphagia (SND) were test-ed with cough reflex inhalated 4 kinds of dosage of citric acid0.2 mol/L, 0.4 mol/L, 0.6 mol/L and 0.8 mol/L. Results The incidence of pass (coughed twice or more) decreased in the SD compared with those in the NC as inhalated citric acid of 0.2 mol/L and 0.4 mol/L (P0.05). 90%of the NC passed as inhalated citric acid of 0.4 mol/L;however, it was 45%in the SD, and increased when they inhalated more dosage of citric acid (P<0.05). The incidence of pass decreased under 0.2 mol/L citric acid in the SND compared with other concentra-tion (P<0.05). The result of the test was reliable interrater (κ=0.97). The incidence of cough was consistent of 96.8%with the same concen-tration. No asthma and asphyxia was observed. Conclusion Cough reflex testing with citric acid inhalation can be used to assess the defen-sive function of airway in lower concentration for dysphagia after stroke.