The Relationship between Degree of Dysphagia and the Timing and Frequency of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies in Patients with Acute Stroke

Lee, Eun jeung; Park, Hyung Sook; Jung, Yun Seo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to analyze relationships between dysphagia, and the timing and frequency of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) in patients with acute stroke. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 111 patients with acute stroke whose dysphagia were evaluated by VFSS. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, and one-way ANOVA; Pearson correlation coefficient was also reported for all analyses. RESULT: Dysphagia was significantly different by transit time from stroke onset to arrival at the hospital (F=4.74, P=.011), paralysis site (F=3.05, P=.032), nasogastric tube (t=âˆ’3.81, P=.001), and diet just before the first VFSS (F=23.27, P<.001). VFSS timing was significantly different by smoking (t=2.88, P=.005), underlying disease (t=âˆ’3.58, P=.001), transit time from stroke onset to arrival at the hospital (F=5.90, P=.004), type of stroke (t=âˆ’5.24, P<.001), paralysis site (F=5.89, P=.001), nasogastric tube (t=âˆ’4.86, P=.001), surgery or angiography (t=âˆ’2.22, P=.032), level of consciousness (F=6.07, P=.000), length of stay (F=53.73, P=.001), department (F=16.37, P<.001), and diet just before the first VFSS (F=5.38, P=.006). VFSS frequency was significantly different by type of stroke (t=2.69, P=.008), nasogastric tube (t=âˆ’5.11, P=.001), length of stay (F=19.41, P=.001), department (F=7.18, P<.001), and the diet just before the first VFSS (F=16.67, P<.001). There was a significant correlation between dysphagia degree and the timing and frequency of VFSS.
CONCLUSION
The more severe the degree of dysphagia, the longer the VFSS timing, and the greater VFSS frequency. The findings could be used for establishing systematic nursing care plans and active nursing intervention for dysphagia-related characteristics.