PREVALENCE OF DYSPHAGIA IN TRACHEOSTOMIZED PATIENTS AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN AN EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Tracheostomy is a procedure commonly performed in Brazil, particularly in men and in the Southeast and South regions, mainly due to prolonged orotracheal intubation and airway obstruction. In patients with traumatic brain injury, tracheostomy is performed to ensure airway patency. Speech-language assessment is essential in these patients, considering clinical, cognitive, respiratory, linguistic, and orofacial motor aspects. Objective: To describe the prevalence of dysphagia in tracheostomized patients with traumatic brain injury, as well as their sociodemographic and clinical profiles. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective study with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of adult tracheostomized patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury who were admitted to the study hospital. Results: Among the 31 patients, 77.42% were male, with ages ranging from 20 to 82 years. Traffic accidents were the main cause of traumatic brain injury (51.61%), with motorcycle accidents being the most frequent. All 31 patients required an alternative feeding route during hospitalization. None of the patients were classified as having functional swallowing. The Functional Oral Intake Scale was used to measure the level of oral intake progression, and 11 patients progressed to levels 2, 5, and 6. For individuals who were not classified on the scale, progress was measured based on the initial and final feeding routes. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dysphagia in tracheostomized patients following traumatic brain injury (87.10%), predominantly among males who were victims of traffic accidents, with a mean age of 48.58 years.