OBJECTIVE: To estimate the interference of different clinical conditions with recovery of oral intake in ICU patients with neurogenic dysphagia. METHODS: A total of 558 ICU patients were evaluated by a team of hospital speech therapists. We recorded functional oral intake scale (FOIS) scores before and after the speech therapy sessions, and also noted the conditions that could interfere with the recovery of oral intake, including age, neurological disease, clinical complications, and respiratory conditions. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without improved FOIS measurements after therapy. We estimated the relative risk (RR) of non-improved oral intake and a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The statistically significant factors affecting the recovery of oral intake were age, etiology of neurological disease, clinical complications, and respiratory and pulmonary conditions. Patients on mechanical ventilation, those with non-degenerative neurological disease, those with no clinical complications, and those with absence of pulmonary disease presented with RR (CI) = 1.74 (1.16-2.6); 0.53 (0.41-0.69); 0.25 (0.2-0.32); and 0.64 (0.49-0.83), respectively. CONCLUSION: Mechanical ventilation is the main risk factor for non-recovery of oral intake, while non-degenerative neurological disease, absence of clinical complications, and absence of lung disease were associated with improved prediction of recovery of oral intake.