Oral health as a predictor of pneumonia and swallowing recovery after stroke
Oral Status as Predictors of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia and Swallowing Recovery in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Prospective Cohort Study
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 |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 260 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent) |
| Trial ID | NCT07059351 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Ghent
- Ghent University Hospital — Ghent, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sungkrit Pojmonpiti
- Email: sungkrit.pojmonpiti@ugent.be
- Phone: +32456398999
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.