Association between pharyngeal residue and posterior oral spillage with penetration and aspiration in stroke.

Purpose: This study aimed at showing association between the posterior oral spillage and pharyngeal residue with tracheal aspiration and/or laryngeal penetration in stroke.

Methods: Clinical cross-sectional retrospective multicenter study. The study included 63 videofluoroscopic tests of post-ischemic stroke individuals and oropharyngeal dysphagia data of the three reference centers providing care for patients with dysphagia (43 men and 20 women; age range: from 40 to 90 years). These individuals were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 35 participants with the presence of penetration and/or laryngotracheal aspiration, and Group II consisted of 28 individuals with no penetration and/or aspiration. Videofluoroscopic swallowing test results were analyzed to divide the groups, and the presence of posterior oral spillage and pharyngeal residue was observed.

Results: No association was found between the groups with posterior oral spillage (χ²=1.65; p=0.30; φ²=0.02), but there was statistical difference for the association between pharyngeal residue (χ²=12.86; p=0.003; φ²=0.20) and the groups.

Conclusion: There is an association between pharyngeal residue and penetration with tracheal aspiration in post-stroke individuals.