Predicting Swallowing Recovery in Subacute Stroke Patients via Temporal and Spatial Parameters of Videofluoroscopy

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the temporal and spatial parameters of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) that could predict the recovery of swallowing function in subacute stroke patients.

Methods

We included 102 patients who were admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine between 2019 and 2022. Patients were classified into good and poor prognosis groups according to whether they had restored prestroke swallowing function or were able to consume sufficient nutrition via oral feeding to meet their body's needs. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify the predictors. Calibration and discrimination were tested using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test and area under the curve (AUC), respectively.

Results

Of the 102 included patients, 51 had a good prognosis for swallowing function within 6 months of onset. The final multivariate regression model included three significant factors: laryngeal closure duration (LCD) (OR: 0.998; 95% CI: 0.996–0.999; p < 0.05), maximum width of the upper esophageal sphincter opening (MWUESO) (OR: 1.251; 95% CI: 1.073–1.458; p < 0.05), and pharyngeal residual grade (PRG) (p < 0.05). The shorter LCD and larger MWUESO were positive predictors of good swallowing function outcomes, while higher PRG was a negative predictor of good outcomes. The AUC for PRG, MWUESO, and LCD were 0.767 (p < 0.05), 0.738 (p < 0.05), and 0.681 (p < 0.05), respectively.

Conclusion

Identifying prognostic factors for the recovery of swallowing function in patients with poststroke dysphagia is essential for developing treatment strategies. The findings of this study may provide an important reference for developing appropriate therapeutic interventions to promote the recovery of swallowing function in stroke patients.