Risk Score for Predicting Dysphagia in Patients After Neurosurgery: A Prospective Observational Trial

Prediction Models for Dysphagia in Intensive Care Unit after Mechanical Ventilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Dysphagia is a common condition that can independently lead to death in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), particularly those who require mechanical ventilation. Despite extensive research on the predictors of dysphagia development, consistency across these studies is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors and summarize existing prediction models for dysphagia in ICU patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

We searched five databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Studies that developed a post-extubation dysphagia risk prediction model in ICU were included. A meta-analysis of individual predictor variables was performed with mixed-effects models. The risk of bias was assessed using the prediction model risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST).

RESULTS

After screening 1,923 references, we ultimately included nine studies in our analysis. The most commonly identified risk predictors included in the final risk prediction model were the length of indwelling endotracheal tube ≥72 h, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score ≥15, age ≥65 years, and duration of gastric tube ≥72 h. However, PROBAST analysis revealed a high risk of bias in the performance of these prediction models, mainly because of the lack of external validation, inadequate pre-screening of variables, and improper treatment of continuous and categorical predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

These models are particularly susceptible to bias because of numerous limitations in their development and inadequate external validation. Future research should focus on externally validating the existing model in ICU patients with varying characteristics. Moreover, assessing the acceptance and effectiveness of the model in clinical practice is needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 134:517-525, 2024.

Strategies of Screening and Treating Post-Extubation Dysphagia: An Overview of the Situation in Greek-Cypriot ICUs

Post-extubation dysphagia (PED) can lead to serious health problems in critically ill patients. Contrasting its high incidence rate of 12.4% reported in a recent observational study, many ICUs lack routine bedside screening, likely due to limited awareness. This study aimed to establish baseline data on the current approaches and the status of perceived best practices in PED screening and treatment, as well as to assess awareness of PED. A nationwide cross-sectional, online survey was conducted in all fourteen adult ICUs in the Republic of Cyprus in June 2018, with a 100% response rate. Over 85% of ICUs lacked a standard screening protocol for PED. The most commonly reported assessment methods were cough reflex testing and the water swallow test. Treatment approaches included muscle strengthening exercises without swallowing and swallowing exercises. Only 28.6% of ICUs acknowledged PED as a common issue. The study identified significant gaps in awareness and knowledge regarding PED screening and treatment in Greek-Cypriot ICUs. Urgent implementation of comprehensive dysphagia education programs within the units is necessary, and interdisciplinary collaboration among nurses, intensivists, and speech and language therapists is crucial to improve the quality of care provided.

The Characteristics and Predicators of Post-extubation Dysphagia in ICU Patients with Endotracheal Intubation

The current status and characteristics of post-extubation dysphagia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with endotracheal intubation remain unclear, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics and identify the predicators for post-extubation dysphagia, to provide reliable reference to the clinical management and nursing care of dysphagia. Patients who underwent tracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation in the ICU of our hospital from January 1, 2020-May 31, 2021 were selected. The characteristics of patients with and without post-extubation dysphagia were analyzed. Univarinate and binary logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of dysphagia after extubation, and we established the risk prediction model according to the regression coefficients of each risk factor. 316 ICU patients with endotracheal intubation were included, the incidence of post-extubation dysphagia was 27.85%. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.368, 95%CI 1.633 ~ 3.946), APACHE II score ≥ 15 (OR 3.727, 95%CI 3.312 ~ 4.202), length of tracheal intubation indwelling ≥ 72 h (OR 2.495, 95%CI 1.824 ~ 3.715), length of gastric tube stay ≥ 72 h (OR 1.923, 95%CI 1.452 ~ 2.882) were the risk factors of post-extubation dysphagia in ICU patients with endotracheal intubation(all p < 0.05). Six score was used as the cuff value of the model with good sensitivity and specificity. The area under the ROC curve and 95% confidence interval was 0.822 (0.746, 0.872). There are many risks of post-extubation dysphagia in ICU patients with endotracheal intubation. For high-risk patients with a score ≥ 6, early nursing care and interventions should be given as soon as possible to reduce the post-extubation dysphagia.

Nutritional Supplements and Neuroprotective Diets and Their Potential Clinical Significance in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

Nutrition and rehabilitation are crucial in post-stroke recovery, especially in the elderly. Since stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability, there is a need to promote special, individually tailored nutrition strategies targeting older patients with low motor ability. Chronic stroke survivors have higher risk of developing nutrition-related chronic diseases, such as sarcopenia, anemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. Moreover, reduced motor activity, cognitive impairment and depression might be aggravated by poor malnutrition status. Accumulated data suggest that nutritional supplements and neuroprotective diets can be associated with better effectiveness of post-stroke rehabilitation as well as brain recovery. Therefore, this review focuses on preventive strategies that can improve dietary intake and change dietary patterns. We highlight the importance of neuroprotective diets, the problem of dysphagia and the role of nutrition in rehabilitation. This article focuses on potential nutritional supplements and neuroprotective diets that may have an impact on functional recovery during and after rehabilitation. Moreover, a new approach to post-stroke neuroplasticity including the use of agents from marine sources such as fucoxanthin and tramiprosate as compounds that might be used as potential neuroprotectants with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties is introduced.