Akbar Banari - Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zahra Sadeghi - Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Akbar Darouie - Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Niloofar Masoudian Hosseinabad - Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mehdi Noroozi - Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: Since December ۲۰۱۹, COVID-۱۹ spread worldwide. Patients with COVID-۱۹ are at high hazard for dysphagia. This study investigates the incidence of dysphagia in COVID-۱۹ patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and identifies predictors of dysphagia in COVID-۱۹ patients. Methods: This prospective study analyzed ۱۰۰ COVID-۱۹ patients admitted to the ICU of Firoozgar Hospital in Tehran City, Iran. The demographic and clinical features of the eligible patients were collected. Dysphagia and cognition were evaluated according to the Persian version of functional oral intake (FOIS-P) status and the Rancho Los Amigos scale (RLAS). The qualitative variables are described in frequency and percentages and the quantitative variables are illustrated by Mean±SD. Also, univariate and multivariate cox regression was performed to predict possible relations between demographic and clinical variables with dysphagia. Results: A total of ۱۰۰ COVID-۱۹ patients (۴۳.۳±۱۳.۳ years, ۵۵% were men) who were admitted to the ICUs were appraised by speech and language pathologists. Meanwhile, ۷۰% of the subjects had at least one comorbidity, with the most common ones being diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Also, ۷۴% of patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation (۶۰% through endotracheal tube and ۴۰% through tracheostomy). In addition, ۵۷% of patients presented dysphagia. Age (odd ratio (OR)=۱.۱۲۷; ۹۵% confidence interval (CI), ۱.۰۱۹%, ۱.۲۴۷%; P=۰.۰۲) and level of consciousness (OR=۰.۳۹۳; ۹۵% CI, ۰.۱۷۸%, ۰.۸۶۸%; P=۰.۰۲۱) were predictors of dysphagia.  Discussion: Dysphagia was prevalent among COVID-۱۹ patients predicted by age and level of consciousness. Early evaluation of suspected patients is required for timely and efficient interventions to avoid further problematic issues and progress their quality of life.

COVID-۱۹, Dysphagia, Incidence, Intensive care unit, Predictor, Swallowing disorder