The Relationship Between Oral Health and Dysphagia in Patients with Acute Stroke: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study

Serap Güngör Ünal; İpek Köse Tosunöz; Esra Bulmus

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1838341

The Relationship Between Oral Health and Dysphagia in Patients with Acute Stroke: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study

Abstract

Purpose: Dysphagia is a common complication after a stroke. Maintaining oral health is of vital importance in stroke patients.This study aimed to examine the relationship between oral health and dysphagia in acute stroke patients upon ICU admission. Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 82 acute stroke patients in the neurology and stroke ICU of a hospital in southern Türkiye. Data were collected within 24 hours of admission using the Patient Information Form, Turkish Modified Mann Swallowing Assessment Test (TR-MMASA Test), and Oral Assessment Guide (OAG). Analyses included t-test, ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and linear regression. Results: The mean age of the patients was 65.4±12.9; 64.5% were male. The mean OAG score was 7.52±3.58 and the mean TR-MMASA score was 83.04±24.68. Oral health status explained 80% of the variance in dysphagia levels. Conclusions: Within the first 24 hours of ICU admission, patients showed moderate oral health risk, which significantly influenced their dysphagia levels.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Not applicable

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Non-Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 04.03.2024, Number of Meetings: 02, Number of Decisions: 20) and the institutional permission (dated 02.05.2024 and numbered E-11289099-050.04-242576179) from Adana City Training and Research Hospital where the study would be conducted.

Thanks

We would like to thank all the patients who participated in the study and the nurses of the Neurology and Stroke Center Intensive Care Unit who helped us raeach them.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

ICU Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Serap Güngör Ünal ^*
0000-0003-0854-6350
Türkiye

İpek Köse Tosunöz
0000-0003-2055-6260
Türkiye

Esra Bulmus
0000-0001-7133-7186
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1838341

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA77GC93UW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Güngör Ünal S, Köse Tosunöz İ, Bulmus E (April 1, 2026) The Relationship Between Oral Health and Dysphagia in Patients with Acute Stroke: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026