Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dysphagia in Stroke Patients: A Cross-sectional Study from Kerala, India

Background: Dysphagia is a common and serious complication of stroke, significantly increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and mortality. Understanding its prevalence and associated factors is crucial for improving poststroke care, particularly in high-burden regions like India. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of dysphagia at discharge and its association with selected demographic and clinical variables among stroke patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 stroke patients at a tertiary care center in Kerala, India. Data were collected using a sociopersonal and clinical data sheet and the Gugging Swallowing Screen tool. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. Results: The study found a high prevalence of dysphagia, with 67.5% of patients affected at discharge. Of these, moderate dysphagia was the most common severity (50.0%), followed by mild (11.9%) and severe (5.6%) dysphagia. A significant association was found between dysphagia severity and clinical variables, including gender ( P = 0.015), Glasgow Coma Scale score ( P = 0.001), aphasia ( P = 0.001), limb weakness ( P = 0.001), facial paralysis ( P = 0.004), and eye involvement ( P = 0.033). However, no significant association was found with patient age or the specific area of the brain affected by the stroke. Conclusion: Dysphagia remains highly prevalent at discharge, underscoring the need for systematic screening. The strong association with specific, readily observable neurological deficits provides clinicians with practical red flags to identify high-risk patients. Integrating a proactive, risk-based screening protocol into standard stroke care is essential to prevent complications, reduce readmissions, and improve the quality of life for survivors.