Risk Factors for Dysphagia in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Abstract

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may be at risk for dysphagia and vulnerable to associated consequences. We investigated predictors for dysphagia and its severity in a cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a single hospital center. A large level I trauma center database was queried for all patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Demographics, medical information associated with COVID-19, specific to dysphagia, and interventions were collected. 947 patients with confirmed COVID-19 met the criteria. 118 (12%) were seen for a swallow evaluation. Individuals referred for evaluation were significantly older, had a lower BMI, more severe COVID-19, and higher rates of intubation, pneumonia, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy placements, prone positioning, and ARDS. Pneumonia (OR 3.57, p = 0.004), ARDS (OR 3.57, p = 0.029), prone positioning (OR 3.99, p = 0.036), ventilation (OR 4.01, p = 0.006), and intubation (OR 4.75, p = 0.007) were significant risk factors for dysphagia. Older patients were more likely to have more severe dysphagia such that for every 1-year increase in age, the odds of severe dysphagia were 1.04 times greater (OR 1.04, p = 0.028). Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are at risk for dysphagia. We show predictive variables that should be considered when referring COVID-19 patients for dysphagia services to reduce time to intervention/evaluation.

Case report: Dysphagia after COVID-19 infection in a stroke patient—Is neurostimulation a potential management?

“…Dysphagia has been reported as a sequela of COVID-19 ( 4 , 5 ). Identified risk factors include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, intubation, and old age ( 6 ). However, dysphagia can develop in non-intubated patients ( 7 ).…”

Dysphagia outcomes in COVID-19 patients: experiences in long-term acute care hospital (LTACH)

“…Rehabilitation needs were great following prolonged hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) as patients’ clinical condition stabilized. Pneumonia, ARDS, prone positioning, and intubation were common sequalae in more severe COVID-19 infection and have been shown to be significant predictors of dysphagia [ 1 ]. Dysphagia was common in patients admitted to LTACHs while recovering from COVID-19 due to the extent of critical illness, respiratory failure, prolonged oral intubation, and tracheostomy [ 2 ].…”