Impaired consciousness has been proposed as a confounding variable in the post-stroke infection literature [18]. It is thought to degrade protective reflexes, impaired function of the lower oesophageal sphincter and ineffective overall co-ordination of breathing and swallowing, increasing the risk of aspiration. It could be argued that these features are difficult to separate entirely from the cerebral damage resulting from stroke. Nevertheless, controlling for GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) values as an independent variable may address this point in future studies.