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Background: Dysphagia occurs in approximately half of the stroke patients and is associated with respiratory infections; however, it is unclear what other factors contribute to an increased risk. This study aimed to provide evidence on factors associated with respiratory infections in the very acute stroke period. Methods: Retrospective review of 536 stroke patients admitted to Australian Hospitals in 2010. Data were collected on 37 clinical and demographic parameters. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed. Results: The overall incidence of respiratory infection was 11%. On admission, requiring full assistance with mobility [OR 6.48, 95% CI 1.35, 31.16] and urinary incontinence [OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.16, 8.87] were associated with respiratory infections. During the first week post stroke nasogastric tubes (NGT) [OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.73, 8.80] and Nil By Mouth (NBM) [OR 5.62, 95% CI 1.54, 20.46] were associated with respiratory infections. Impaired GCS, ischaemic stroke and significantly impaired mobility were associated with swallowing difficulties. Conclusion: This study of a large cohort of acute stroke patients supports research indicating aspiration pneumonia is multifactorial in nature. NGT were associated with increased risk of respiratory infections and may contribute to infections by promoting oropharyngeal colonisation. Patients with severely impaired mobility were also at very high risk of respiratory infection.

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Dysphagia is extremely common following stroke, affecting 13%–94% of acute stroke sufferers. It is associated with respiratory complications, increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, nutritional compromise and dehydration, and detracts from quality of life. While many stroke survivors experience a rapid return to normal swallowing function, this does not always happen. Current dysphagia treatment in Australia focuses upon prevention of aspiration via diet and fluid modifications, compensatory manoeuvres and positional changes, and exercises to rehabilitate paretic muscles. This article discusses a newer adjunctive treatment modality, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and reviews the available literature on its efficacy as a therapy for dysphagia with particular emphasis on its use as a treatment for dysphagia in stroke. There is a good theoretical basis to support the use of NMES as an adjunctive therapy in dysphagia and there would appear to be a great need for further well-designed studies to accurately determine the safety and efficacy of this technique.

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