One-Year Risk of Pneumonia and Mortality in Patients with Poststroke Dysphagia: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Background In the early stages of stroke, the use of a nasogastric tube can reduce complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia. However, its long-term efficacy is controversial. Methods This retrospective cohort study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to investigate associations among dysphagia, rate of readmission due to pneumonia, and mortality 1 year after stroke. Patients who had received their first stroke diagnosis and inpatient rehabilitation from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2010, were enrolled. The presence of dysphagia was determined by the number of nasogastric tubes received (≥2 was classified as dysphagia, Results There were 5032 patients in the dysphagia group and 52,323 patients in the control group. The dysphagia group had a higher probability and incidence of pneumonia (18.78% versus 6.52%, P P Conclusions The association persisted until the 5-year poststroke time point. Our results suggest that prolonged nasogastric tube use has negative effects. Intensive evaluation of dysphagia and removal of the nasogastric tube in the early stages of stroke might reduce pneumonia incidence and mortality.