Post-Stroke Swallowing And Communication Complications: Prevalence And Association With Comorbid Conditions And Risk Factors.

A cross sectional study utilising convenience sampling was conducted to determine the co-morbidities and risk factors in post stroke patients with swallowing and communication complications. The study recruited 150 diagnosed cases of stroke with no gender and age limitation from Combined Military Hospital, Fatima Memorial Hospital, and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2015. Glasgow coma scale, Modified Massey Bedside Swallow Screener, informal clinical assessment by SLP, and medical history sheet were employed for data collection, while the data was analysed using SPSS -23. Results revealed 103 (68.7%) patients with swallowing and 99 (66%) with communication difficulties. Swallowing issues revealed significant association with age (p=.016); history of stroke (p=.017), smoking (p=.004), alcohol intake (p=.035), diabetes mellitus (p=.003), and GCS (p=.009). Communication difficulties had significant association with hypertension (p=.029), GCS (p=.000). Hence, stroke related dysphagia is associated with diabetes mellitus; level of consciousness, previous history of stroke, smoking, alcohol abuse, and age, while communication issues are associated with hypertension and level of consciousness.