Prognostic Indicators in Dysphagia Recovery

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to find prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery after stroke. 26 dysphagic patients with history of aspiration divided into two groups, oral feeding group and persisting aspirating group(c ontinue tube feeding after acute stage of stroke rehabilitation). We evaluated the neurologic locus of stroke lesion. Functional Independence Measure(FIM) score, parameters of the bedside swallowing test and videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow. The neurologic locus of stroke lesion was not correlate with the recovery of aspiration due to stoke. The low FIM score(less than 50), large amount of pharyngeal residue, decreased clearing ability of residue, and delayed pharyngeal transit time(over 3 sec) were bad prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery. We may use criteria for recommendation of continuous tube feeding especially, Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy(PEG) in dysphagic patients after stroke.