Association between improved dysphagia and increased trunk muscle mass in older patients with stroke undergoing convalescent rehabilitation

Objective: The association between dysphagia and activities of daily living in patients with stroke has been reported, but the effect of improved dysphagia on the increase in trunk muscle mass is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between improved dysphagia and increased trunk muscle mass in older patients with stroke.

Research methods & procedures: This retrospective, case-control study enrolled patients with stroke aged ≥65 years. Dysphagia was evaluated using the Kuchi-Kara Taberu (KT) Index. Patients were classified into two groups according to KT Index at discharge: improved dysphagia group (≥57 scores) and non-improved dysphagia group (<57 scores). The primary outcome of the study was Trunk Muscle Mass Index (TMI) gain from admission to discharge. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between trunk muscle mass gain and improved dysphagia.

Results: There were 153 participants with a mean age of 79.8 ± 7.7 years, and 89 (58%) were classified in the improved dysphagia group. The TMI gain was greater in the improved dysphagia group compared to that in the nonimproved group. Multiple regression analysis showed that improved dysphagia (β: 0.776, 95% confidence interval: 0.643 to 0.909, P < 0.001) was independently associated with TMI gain.

Conclusion: Improved dysphagia was independently associated with trunk muscle mass gain, suggesting that improved dysphagia is important for trunk muscle mass gain in patients with stroke.