Predischarge dysphagia measured using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and its association with 90-day aspiration pneumonia and hospital readmission
Nafees, Samraiz Shahzad, Khalid Sibhai, Imad Mashayekhi, Yashar Khan, Sami Ullah Mian, Sana Omer Zahid, Abra Mohamed, Khaled K C, Gyanendra Ibrar, Muhammad
Nafees, Samraiz
Shahzad, Khalid
Sibhai, Imad
Mashayekhi, Yashar
Khan, Sami Ullah
Mian, Sana Omer
Zahid, Abra
Mohamed, Khaled
K C, Gyanendra
Ibrar, Muhammad
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Affiliation
Services Institute of Medical Sciences; King Edward Medical University; Nathiba Hargovandas Lakhmichand (NHL) Municipal Medical College; University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust; Rawal Institute of Health Sciences; Fatima Jinnah Medical College; Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College; Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; KIST Medical College & Teaching Hospital; Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Gulf Medical University
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Publication date
2025-10-01
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Abstract
Background Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that may give rise to severe complications when not managed at the initial stages. Discharged patients with unresolved swallowing problems may become vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia and unexpected hospital readmissions. The purpose of this study was to establish the connection between predischarge dysphagia, measured with the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia and 90-day hospital readmission. Methods The study was a prospective observational study conducted from January to June 2025 in hospitals in Lahore. The 511 clinically stable participants discharged were evaluated regarding dysphagia, demographic, and clinical information using the EAT-10. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia and readmission was established using follow-up at 90 days. Correlation tests, including the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis H test, the chi-square test, and logistic regression, were used to analyze the data. Results The significant scores on the EAT-10 were related to aspiration pneumonia (r = 0.245, p < 0.001) and 90-day readmission (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). Patients who scored high on the EAT-10 were more likely to develop pneumonia (p < 0.001) and readmission (p < 0.001). Other predictors included older age, comorbidities, a history of pneumonia, and an extended hospital stay. Logistic regression supported EAT-10 as a significant predictor of both pneumonia (OR = 1.03, p = 0.012) and readmission (OR = 1.01, p = 0.040). Conclusions Predischarge dysphagia, as measured by EAT-10, is strongly related to post-discharge complications such as aspiration pneumonia and readmission. Regular screening during discharge can help identify high-risk patients and enable timely interventions, thereby enhancing patient safety and outcomes.
Citation
Nafees S, Shahzad K, Sibhai I, Mashayekhi Y, Khan SU, Mian SO, Zahid A, Mohamed K, K C G, Ibrar M, Al Hamdani M. Predischarge Dysphagia Measured Using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and Its Association With 90-Day Aspiration Pneumonia and Hospital Readmission. Cureus. 2025 Oct 1;17(10):e93643. doi: 10.7759/cureus.93643. PMID: 41041478; PMCID: PMC12487540.
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Article