Table 3 All indicators of the study population (n = 86)

SAP

16 (37.2)

6 (14.0)

6.108

0.025^*

 White blood cells (10⁹/L)

7.49 (5.51, 9.30)

7.20 (5.51, 8.40)

863.5

0.598

 Procalcitonin (ng/ml)

0.083 (0.054, 0.095)

0.054 (0.044, 0.076)

610.5

0.007^*

 Hypersensitive C-reactive protein (mg/L)

8.74 (4.56, 13.60)

5.20 (3.40, 6.70)

636.5

0.013^*

Length of stay, days

13 (9, 18)

11 (8, 14)

687.0

0.040^*

Total cost, USD

20,351.62 (12,794.51, 32,790.98)

18,139.21 (12,658.4, 32,666.31)

843.0

0.481

NIHSS score

4 (2, 13)

6 (2, 9)

923.0

0.990

Aspiration

16 (37.2)

4 (9.3)

9.382

0.004^*

NRS-2002

2.549

0.171

  ≥ 3

32 (74.4)

25 (58.1)

  < 3

11 (25.6)

18 (41.9)

Serum albumin (g/L)

33.92 ± 2.90

35.83 ± 4.20

−2.459

0.016^*

Oral hygiene score

19 (15, 21)

15 (13, 18)

530.5

0.001^*

30 ml water swallowing test

6.766

0.149

 I

2 (4.7)

10 (23.3)

 II

15 (34.9)

12 (27.9)

 III

16 (37.2)

15 (34.9)

 IV

6 (14.0)

4 (9.3)

 V

4 (9.3)

2 (4.7)

The degree of dysphagia

7.097

0.131

  0

2 (4.7)

10 (23.3)

  2

15 (34.9)

12 (27.9)

  4

17 (39.5)

16 (37.2)

  5

6 (14.0)

4 (9.3)

  6

3 (7.0)

1 (2.3)