Key Points
- Post-extubation dysphagia and dysphonia are multifactorial and can
lead to prolonged ICU stay, prolonged tube feeding, aspiration
pneumonia and increased morbidity and mortality.
- In this multi-site prospective cohort study across eleven acute
hospitals, 90% of adults required an altered oral diet
post-extubation and 36% were unable for any oral intake based on SLT
evaluation. Sixty-six percent presented with post-extubation
dysphonia.
- Age, proning and pre-existing respiratory disease were predictors of
post-extubation oral intake status, whereas intubation injury and
pre-existing respiratory disease were predictors of post-extubation
dysphonia.
- Over a third (37%) required dysphagia rehabilitation post-extubation
whereas 20% needed voice rehabilitation.
- Dysphagia and dysphonia persisted in 27% and 37% cases respectively
at hospital discharge, indicating that SLTs should be included in
outpatient multidisciplinary COVID clinics in the community.