Examination of Relationship between Nutrient Intake Method and Level of Consciousness in Cerebral Infarction Patients Treated Medically in the Acute Phase

Abstract

The sequelae of stroke include eating disorders and dysphagia. In order to ascertain whether differences in drugs used for the treatment of stroke affect the mode of nutrient intake and the level of consciousness, we investigated patients with cerebral infarction who were admitted to Osaka-Minami Medical Center in 2013. The patients were divided into two groups, ie, one treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and the other not treated with rt-PA, and their treatment results were compared.

The Japan Coma Scale (JCS) scores showed a correlation with the mode of nutrient intake, and better JCS scores were obtained at the time of admission and one week afterwards in the rt-PA-treated group compared to the other group. The modes of nutrient intake at one week after admission and at discharge were the same in many patients. It was suggested that the use of rt-PA, which improved the level of consciousness from an early stage, would be effective in reducing the occurrence of eating disorders and dysphagia in stroke patients.