Oral Status as Predictors of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia and Swallowing Recovery in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, GHENT · Jul 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how the health of a person’s mouth might help predict two important things after a stroke: the chance of getting pneumonia (a lung infection) and how well their swallowing improves. After a stroke, many people have trouble swallowing, which can lead to serious problems like pneumonia, poor nutrition, and longer hospital stays. The researchers want to see if things like how clean the mouth is, how strong the tongue is, and how well the teeth support chewing can help identify which patients are more likely to develop pneumonia or have slower swallowing recovery. Understanding this could help doctors better care for stroke patients and support their recovery.

The study will include adults who have had a stroke and are diagnosed with swallowing difficulties, admitted to the stroke unit at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium. Patients must be able to understand and participate in swallowing exercises. Those who join will have their oral health carefully checked, and some will receive routine mouth care to see if it helps with swallowing and chewing. The study is not yet recruiting but will run from 2025 to 2027. This research aims to find simple ways to improve care and recovery for people struggling with swallowing after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility 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