A Comparison of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Gugging Swallowing Screen in Predicting Stroke-Associated Pneumonia.

Background: There have been many scales to predict pneumonia in stroke patients, but they are so complex, making it difficult to apply in practice. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the role of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) in predicting stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). These scales are routinely used in stroke patients.

Risk Factors for Stroke Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Stroke patients are at high risk for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). If patients suffer from pneumonia their prognosis will worsen.

Aim: To identify factors that increases the risk of SAP in stroke patients.