Abstract Objectives This study aims to (i) investigate post‐extubation dysphagia and dysphonia amongst adults intubated with SARS‐COV‐2 (COVID‐19) and referred to speech and language therapy (SLT) in acute hospitals across the Republic of Ireland (ROI) between March and June 2020; (ii) identify variables predictive of post‐extubation oral intake status and dysphonia and (iii) establish SLT rehabilitation needs and services provided to this cohort. Design A multi‐site prospective observational cohort study. Participants One hundred adults with confirmed COVID‐19 who were intubated across eleven acute hospital sites in ROI and who were referred to SLT services between March and June 2020 inclusive. Main Outcome Measures Oral intake status, level of diet modification and perceptual voice quality. Results Based on initial SLT assessment, 90% required altered oral intake and 59% required tube feeding with 36% not allowed oral intake. Age (OR 1.064; 95% CI 1.018–1.112), proning (OR 3.671; 95% CI 1.128–11.943) and pre‐existing respiratory disease (OR 5.863; 95% CI 1.521–11.599) were predictors of oral intake status post‐extubation. Two‐thirds (66%) presented with dysphonia post‐extubation. Intubation injury (OR 10.471; 95% CI 1.060–103.466) and pre‐existing respiratory disease (OR 24.196; 95% CI 1.609–363.78) were predictors of post‐extubation voice quality. Thirty‐seven per cent required dysphagia intervention post‐extubation, whereas 20% needed intervention for voice. Dysphagia and dysphonia persisted in 27% and 37% cases, respectively, at hospital discharge. Discussion Post‐extubation dysphagia and dysphonia were prevalent amongst adults with COVID‐19 across the ROI. Predictors included iatrogenic factors and underlying respiratory disease. Prompt evaluation and intervention is needed to minimise complications and inform rehabilitation planning.
【저자키워드】 COVID‐19, intubation, Dysphagia, voice, dysphonia, post‐extubation, speech and language therapy, swallowing, 【초록키워드】 therapy, hospital, rehabilitation, Intervention, COVID‐19, Cohort, Respiratory disease, Complication, Ireland, predictor, Injury, Predictive, oral intake, Factor, Intubated, 95% CI, hospital discharge, measure, participant, proning, Modification, variable, objective, prevalent, initial, Result, identify, required, provided, iatrogenic, prospective observational cohort, ROI, 【제목키워드】 COVID‐19, Observational cohort study,