title: Comparison of nutritional status indicators according to feeding methods in patients with acute stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Feeding methods for patients with acute stroke differ based on their ability to swallow; therefore, it is necessary to determine whether these methods deliver enough nourishment to these patients. Although nutrition could affect recovery from acute stroke, it is often overlooked. Indicators of nutritional status are important for the nutritional assessment of patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare changes in nutritional indicators with various feeding methods in patients with acute stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on 261 patients with acute stroke who were admitted to a stroke unit in 2010 and met the inclusion criteria of the study were retrospectively analyzed. For comparative analysis, we investigated the participants' National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, feeding methods using the Modified Gugging Swallowing Screen, and indicators of nutritional status, such as body mass index, pre-albumin level, albumin level, total lymphocyte count, and total protein level. All nutritional indicators were compared at the time of admission to the stroke unit and at 7 days after admission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of admission, indicators of nutritional status were within normal ranges in all feeding groups (tube, dysphagia, and general diet). At 7 days after admission, pre-albumin (P = 0.003), albumin (P = 0.001), and total protein (P = 0.000) values in the tube feeding group were below the normal range, and the pre-albumin value and total lymphocyte count were below the normal range in the dysphagia diet group (P = 0.027). The values for all nutritional indicators were within normal limits in the general diet group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indicators of nutritional status change according to the swallowing ability of patients with acute stroke. At 7 days after admission to the stroke unit, patients with severe dysphagia had higher levels of indicators of malnutrition. Health care providers should consider whether the feeding method of each patient with stroke provides suitable nourishment. Additionally, it is important to know why these indicators vary based on swallowing abilities and what these patients require for adequate nutrition.
authors.forename: Sanghee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Youngsoon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Byeon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002149:Energy Intake; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D011228:Prealbumin; D012709:Serum Albumin
keywords: Acute stroke; Feeding methods; Nutritional status indicators