Low phase angle is associated with swallowing outcomes in patients with acute stroke

Background and purpose: Stroke-induced dysphagia is a critical complication that can lead to severe secondary worldwide health issues. This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between phase angle (PhA) and swallowing function in the acute phase of stroke. We aim to establish whether nutritional and muscular interventions associated with PhA could enhance swallowing recovery and reduce related risks post-stroke.

Methods: Stroke patients requiring rehabilitation were assessed for the association between low PhA-with cutoff values for low PhA defined as less than 5.28 for men and 4.32 for women-and swallowing function using a functional oral intake scale (FOIS) on Day 7 after admission and after the completion of acute stroke treatment.

Results: In this study of 140 acute stroke patients (median age 74[69-81], and 85 men and 55 women), 76 patients with low PhA significantly exhibited older age, lower body mass index, more decline in skeletal muscle mass index, and lower premorbid modified Rankin Scale scores compared to 64 patients with high PhA. Multivariate linear regression revealed that low PhA was independently associated with FOIS scores on Day 7 after admission (β=-0.143 and p=0.036) and after the completion of acute stroke treatment (β=-0.513 and p=0.024), even when adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusions: Low PhA is associated with swallowing function in patients with acute stroke. Nutritional and physical interventions improving PhA may lead to a reduction of the risk associated with stroke sequelae.