P.066 Failing a dysphagia screen after acute ischemic stroke is highly predictive of poor outcomes

Abstract

Background: Bedside dysphagia screening is recommended for all patients with acute ischemic stroke, in order to detect swallowing impairment early and prevent complications. However, limited data are available on outcomes associated with failing a dysphagia screen. Methods: We used the Ontario Stroke Registry to identify patients who were admitted to Regional Stroke Centres from 2010-2013 and received a dysphagia screen within 72 hours. We used multivariable regression to determine outcomes of patients who failed the dysphagia screen. Results: Among 5145 patients who underwent dysphagia screening, 2458 (47.8%) failed and 2687 (52.2%) passed. Patients who failed had more co-morbidities and presented with more severe strokes (mean NIHSS 11.0 vs. 5.4). Among those who failed, 9% required permanent feeding tubes, versus 0.1% among those who passed. After controlling for age, co-morbidities, and stroke severity, failing a bedside swallowing screen remained highly predictive of poor outcomes, including decubitus ulcer (adjusted odds ratio aOR 10.5), pneumonia (aOR 4.6), discharge to long-term care (aOR 4.1) and 30-day mortality (aOR 4.5; 16.6% vs. 2.2%). *All p <0.0001 Conclusions: Patients who failed a dysphagia screen on admission had dramatically worse outcomes after controlling for baseline factors. A bedside dysphagia screen provides immediate risk stratification for acute stroke patients and can be used to guide appropriate care.