Dysphagia was a common occurrence in patients admitted to intensive care units (ITU) during the pandemic. This paper explores data from 26 ITUs over 12 months during 2020-2021. Findings from 235 patients admitted with Delta and subsequent Covid variants who were seen by a speech-language therapist were analysed. The prevalence of dysphagia as identified by the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) was 94% with just under half (45%) exhibiting profound dysphagia. Median length of stay in hospital was 42 days with median time to beginning oral intake of food being 19 days (IQR, 11–44 days) from ITU admission. Known risk factors such as intubation, mechanical ventilation, ITU/hospital length of stay and time to SLT assessment all had a positive linear correlation with dysphagia prevalence. A quarter of patients received dysphagia rehabilitation during this time with just over 70% of patients recovering from dysphagia by the time of discharge. Older patients had more severe dysphagia. Interestingly, the authors postulate that as the pandemic evolved, increasing numbers of younger patients were admitted requiring tracheostomy in later waves of Covid. Whilst the duration to commencing oral intake improved, fewer patients achieved complete dysphagia recovery by the time of hospital discharge. The paper highlights the changing picture as well as the need for a clearer understanding about whether the diagnosis of Covid-19 in and of itself, increases the prevalence of dysphagia independent of the known risk factors.
COVID-19 and dysphagia in critically ill patients: a reflection of some findings
Reviewed by Roganie Govender
Dysphagia Prevalence and Outcomes Associated with the Evolution of COVID-19 and Its Variants in Critically Ill Patients.
CONTRIBUTOR
Roganie Govender
University College London, Head & Neck Academic Centre, UK.
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