Prevalance of Dysphagia Symptoms in Patient with Cerebrovascular Accident

Sharanya Jothiprakash Shetty, Dr. Satish Kumaraswamy

Abstract: Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are common after Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA) and can severely impact health and quality of life. This study assessed the prevalence of dysphagia symptoms in 67 CVA patients aged 30?80 years using a symptom checklist and Videofluroscopic evaluation across various food consistencies. Key symptoms included difficulty initiating swallow, coughing, choking, and reduced appetite. Males showed higher rates of dribbling and chest congestion, while older individuals exhibited more severe symptoms such as pneumonia and thickened saliva. Findings highlight the need for early identification and intervention by speech - language pathologists. Further studies with larger, more balanced samples are recommended.

Keywords: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), Quality of life, Videofluroscopic