Work

Effects of private caregivers on nutritional risk and anxiety in stroke survivors with dysphagia: an observational study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Private caregivers are common in developing countries as supplements to healthcare human resources. However, the effects of private caregivers on inpatient conditions remain unclear. This study explored the effect of private caregivers on nutritional risk and anxiety in patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke. Methods This observational study included patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke between 2022 and 2024 in central China. Participants were divided into non-caregiver and private caregiver groups. A single-factor analysis was used to explore the differences between the baseline assessments of the two groups. We then used propensity score matching (PSM) to balance significant baseline variables, including anxiety at admission, and demographic and clinical characteristics. In the matched sample, we used the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) to uncover the influence of the patient groups on nutritional risks and anxiety on day 10. Results A total of 2,234 patients were included, and there were 766 cases in the private caregiver group. Before PSM, there were significant reductions in anxiety (47.00 vs. 32.86%, P < 0.001) and nutritional risks (100.00 vs. 70.55%, P < 0.001) from days 1 to 10. After PSM, there were no significant differences in any baseline assessments, and 766 pairs of cases were successfully captured. The ATT analysis showed that before and after PSM, there was no significant correlation between groups and nutritional risks (30.75 vs. 29.41%, P = 0.573), but there was a significant correlation between groups and anxiety on day 10 (34.89 vs. 23.40%, ATT = 0.234 after matching, P < 0.001). Conclusions Private caregivers can effectively reduce anxiety in hospitalized patients with dysphagia following ischemic stroke, but they do not have a significant impact on nutritional risks.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1513609

Authors: Weijia Zhao, Jing Zeng, Shuaiqi Li, Sheju Chen

Institutions: Zhengzhou University, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Dysphagia Assessment and Management

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801