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Aspiration Pneumonia in Acute Stroke
Abstract
This was a prospective study that was conducted between July 2000 and September 2001. It was designed to determine the incidence and the risk factor(s) of aspiration pneumonia in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident.
Aspiration pneumonia was recorded in 23.5% of the 68 patients that were recruited. The major predisposing factors identified were disorder of swallowing which increased the risk of aspiration pneumonia by more than 4 times. The relative risk (RR) was 4.5 and the 95% confidence interval (95%Cl) was 1.25-16.25. Abnormal voluntary cough increased the risk by 3 folds. RR was 3 and (95%Cl) was 0.85-10.63. And depressed level of consciousness had 2.3 times risk with RR of 2.33 and (95%Cl) of 0.83-6.54. Combination of abnormal gag reflex and facial palsy was another significant risk factor; the RR was 2 and (95%Cl) was 0.71 – 5.62.
Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(1) 2003: 22-25
Aspiration pneumonia was recorded in 23.5% of the 68 patients that were recruited. The major predisposing factors identified were disorder of swallowing which increased the risk of aspiration pneumonia by more than 4 times. The relative risk (RR) was 4.5 and the 95% confidence interval (95%Cl) was 1.25-16.25. Abnormal voluntary cough increased the risk by 3 folds. RR was 3 and (95%Cl) was 0.85-10.63. And depressed level of consciousness had 2.3 times risk with RR of 2.33 and (95%Cl) of 0.83-6.54. Combination of abnormal gag reflex and facial palsy was another significant risk factor; the RR was 2 and (95%Cl) was 0.71 – 5.62.
Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(1) 2003: 22-25
