Disfagia orofaríngea: prevalencia en las unidades de rehabilitación neurológica

Abstract

Introduction Oropharyngeal dysphagia is very common in neurological diseases. It is a serious symptom with nutritional and respiratory complications that may lead to the death. Objectives To determine the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Neurological Rehabilitation Units of the Fundación Instituto San José (FISJ), Madrid, as well as to determine the functional status and diseases that may lead to the possible occurrence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in these patients. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients admitted from 1 January to 30 September 2012, in the Moderate Neurological Disorders (UTNM) and Severe Neurological Disorders Units (UTNS) of the FISJ. Results A total of 109 patients were admitted to the UTNM and 31 patients to the UTNS during the study period. There was a 31.2% prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the UTNM, with a very high prevalence of 64.5% in UTNS. A total of 14 new cases were diagnosed In the UTNM, and 6 new cases in the UTNS. Patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia have been admitted with a primary diagnosis of stroke (63%) and 18.5% with cerebral hemorrhage/hematoma. It was also determined that of the 85.2% of patients diagnosed with dysphagia, 11.1% presented levels of total dependence, whilst 3.7% presented severe/moderate dependence. Conclusions The prevalence of dysphagia in Neurological Disorders Units in Madrid is very high, especially in patients with cerebrovascular disease and total/severe dependency level. © 2013 Sociedad Espãnola de Enfermería Neurológica. Published by Elsevier España, S.L. Allrights reserved.