CRP and susceptibility to pneumonia measurement: The combination of post-stroke inflammatory response, dysphagia (PAS > 5), and elevated CRP may serve as an early indicator of SaP and support timely FEES-based assessment.<h4>Discussion</h4>Early elevated CRP levels in dysphagic stroke patients are indicative of aspiration-related inflammation and may serve as a sensitive early biomarker for stroke-associated pneumonia.