Figure 2. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score distributions at discharge in patients who received direct enteral tubes and nasogastric tubes alone.

mRS score distributions at discharge in patients with direct enteral tubes (DET) and nasogastric tubes (NGT) alone, matched at (A) discharge date and (B) stroke onset. mRS score 0 indicates no symptoms, 1 indicates no clinically significant disability, 2 indicates slight disability, 3 indicates moderate disability, 4 indicates moderately severe disability, 5 indicates severe disability, and 6 indicates death. Among those with DET, there is a higher proportion of patients within mRS 5 (bedridden, incontinent, and requiring constant nursing care and attention).