Oral health as a predictor of pneumonia and swallowing recovery after stroke
Official title: Oral Status as Predictors of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia and Swallowing Recovery in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Run by University Hospital, Ghent · NCT07059351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will try to see if checking oral health early after a stroke can predict who will get stroke-associated pneumonia or have slower swallowing recovery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 260 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 2, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 17, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07059351 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) admitted to the Ghent University Hospital stroke unit with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who have oropharyngeal dysphagia and sufficient cognitive and language ability to participate in swallowing exercises.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without post-stroke dysphagia, those with severe cognitive or language impairments that prevent reliable assessment or participation, or patients treated outside the study hospital are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this cohort.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective cohort collected alongside a randomized trial at the Ghent University Hospital stroke unit, enrolling adults with post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia. Trained dental professionals and speech therapists will record baseline socio-demographic, medical, stroke severity (NIHSS, mRS) and swallowing status (FOIS) within three days of admission, and document detailed oral status including dental condition, oral hygiene (modified Turesky-Quigley-Hein, Winkel's tongue plaque, Augsburger and Elahi denture plaque), oral care capacity, and masticatory function. Outcomes including stroke-associated pneumonia and trajectory of swallowing recovery will be monitored at day seven and weekly until discharge. The cohort aims to link specific oral health measures with risk of pneumonia and delayed swallowing recovery to inform targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians identify patients at higher risk of pneumonia and target oral care and swallowing therapy earlier to reduce complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked poor oral hygiene and reduced oral function to higher pneumonia risk after stroke, but using bedside oral status as a routine predictive tool is still relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients admitted to the stroke unit at Ghent University Hospital with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who are diagnosed with oropharyngeal dysphagia. * Patients over 18 years of age with sufficient cognitive abilities and language skills to understand the swallowing exercises. Exclusion Criteria: * No exclusion criteria
Where it's running
-
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sungkrit Pojmonpiti
- Email: sungkrit.pojmonpiti@ugent.be
- Phone: +32456398999
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.