Demographic and clinical factors associated with recovery of poststroke dysphagia: A meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: Poststroke dysphagia (PSD) recovery depends on various factors. We aimed to provide evidence concerning predictive variables for the recovery of PSD. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, VIP database of Chinese periodicals, Chinese biomedical literature service system (SinoMed), and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched up to September 21, 2022. According to the inclusion criteria, the literature searched in the database was screened. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta‐analysis was performed to identify the factors prognostic for PSD. RESULTS: Twenty‐eight studies were eligible, and pooled analyses were allowed for 12 potential prognostic factors. We identified older age, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, lower activities of daily living (ADL) score, lower body mass index (BMI), severe dysphagia on admission, aspiration, brainstem stroke, severe cognitive impairment, and bilateral hemispheric stroke were negative factors for the recovery of PSD, while early intervention and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) = 0 before onset were protective factors for the recovery of PSD. There was no significant association between stroke type and prognosis of PSD. CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors of PSD summarized in this meta‐analysis could be useful for developing reasonable treatment plan to better promote recovery of swallowing function after stroke.