Rumbach et al evaluated burn patients for risk factors associated with dysphagia. These can help to identify a patient who should have a more complete evaluation. The authors are from the University of Queensland and Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital in Brisbane, Australia.
Patient selection: thermal burns
Dysphagia:
(1) affects on or more food or fluid consistencies: liquid, semisolid, solid
(2) involves oromotor dysfunction or signs of aspiration during a phase of swallowing (oral preparatory, oral, pharyngeal)
Risk factors for dysphagia:
(1) escharotomy
(2) ICU admission
(3) need for mechanical ventilation
(4) inhalation injury
(5) percent total body surface area with significant burns >= 18%
(6) presence of head and neck burns
(7) age (adjusted odds ratio 1.04 per year)
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