COVID-19 considerably impacted swallowing function in the current study. Although many patients recovered within an acceptable timeframe, some experienced persistent severe dysphagia and a protracted recovery with dependence on enteral nutrition.

27 patients (22 male; 5 female) with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 15.5) were recruited.

All required mechanical ventilation. Almost 90% of the total cohort had pre-existing comorbidities, with the two most frequently observed being diabetes and cardiac disease in origin.

Prevalence of dysphagia was 93%, with the majority (44%) exhibiting profound dysphagia at the initial assessment.

Median duration to initiate oral feeding was 38.5 days (IQR = 31.25) from ICU admission, and 33% received dysphagia rehabilitation.

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