Cough reflex attenuation and swallowing dysfunction in sub‐acute post‐stroke patients: prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcome

ConclusionsPrevalence of subacute post‐stroke OD and swallow safety impairments was much higher than CRT attenuation, and risk factors strongly differed suggesting that the swallow response receives a stronger cortical control than the cough reflex. OD has a greater impact on PSP clinical outcome than impaired cough, the poorest prognosis being for patients with both airway protective dysfunctions. We found that the prevalence of OD was much higher than impairments in the CRT response. Neurotopographical and clinical stroke factors attenuated the CRT response but no specific risk factors for impaired CRT response were found. However, age, TACI, poor functional status and malnutrition risk were associated with OD suggesting that the swallow response receives a stronger cortical control than the cough reflex. No differences in the outcome of PSP were detected considering their CRT response whereas OD and impaired safety of swallow strongly increased institutionalization, respiratory infection and mortality 12 months after stroke, the poorest outcome being for PSP with both dysfunctions.
Source: Neurogastroenterology and Motility - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research