Stroke and Swallowing Problems
Author Information
Author(s): Mallio Carlo A., Vertulli Daniele, Di Gennaro Gianfranco, Ascrizzi Maria Teresa, Capone Fioravante, Grattarola Chiara, Luccarelli Vitaliana, Greco Federico, Beomonte Zobel Bruno, Di Lazzaro Vincenzo, Pilato Fabio
Primary Institution: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
The acute ischemic stroke volume and location might be significantly associated with dysphagia severity.
Conclusion
There are significant associations between the severity of dysphagia and the quantitative DWI-based data of the acute ischemic volume and anatomical location.
Supporting Evidence
- Among the patients, 51.6% had mild dysphagia and 48.4% had moderate-severe dysphagia.
- The total ischemic volume was negatively correlated with the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS).
- Ischemic volumes were left supratentorial in 31 patients and right supratentorial in 27 patients.
- Significant correlations were found between ischemic volumes in specific brain regions and dysphagia severity.
- Ischemic lesions in the anterior brain circulation were significantly associated with dysphagia severity.
Takeaway
This study found that the size and location of brain damage from a stroke can affect how well someone can swallow.
Methodology
Brain MRIs were obtained using a 1.5 Tesla MRI system, and dysphagia severity was assessed using multiple scales.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the retrospective nature and reliance on previously collected data.
Limitations
The retrospective design limits causality, and the small sample size may reduce generalizability.
Participant Demographics
64 patients, mean age 78.8 years, 43.8% males and 56.2% females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0003
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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