Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Pneumonia complications during treatment are related to many factors in which dysphagia play a major role. Evaluation of dysphagia, monitoring and swallowing rehabilitation measures are essential steps in nursing care in patients with severe stroke. This study explore the dysphagia in patients with severe acute stroke and its correlation with pneumonia at the Stroke center of Hue Central Hospital.

Methods: A cross - sectional study with longitudinal follow - up of 122 patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to a stroke center, Hue Central Hospital. From January 2022 to April 2022.

Results: 122 patients with severe acute stroke with a Glasgow score of 5 - 11 and having a dysphagia within 24 hours of admission, the mean age was 57,61 ± 13,75. 19% of patients improved completely swallowing functions by day 14 after stroke, this group of patients had a pneumonia rate of 9,5%. In the group that improved swallowing function with varying degrees but not completely, there was a 27,7% rate of pneumonia. The risk of pneumonia in the group without dysphagia was lower and only 0,24 times compared with the group with dysphagia (95% confidence interval: 0,05 - 1,1), statistically significant difference.

Conclusion: In addition to the patient’s natural recovery after severe stroke, assessment of dysphagia for care, rehabilitation exercises to improve swallowing function has great significance in preventing and reducing the incidence of pneumonia during the first 2 weeks after severe stroke.