Epidemiologic Features, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Respiratory Infection in Patients with Acute Stroke

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore risk factors for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) and their impact on prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data collected from a retrospective review of 257 patients with acute cerebral infarction between January 2014 and December 2016 were included in this study. Data were collected for clinical, demographic, and coexisting parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Elderly age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.096, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.023–1.174), dysphagia (OR: 2.805, 95% CI: 1.614–4.875), and long-term bedridden status (OR: 120.425, 95% CI: 29.689–488.466) were significantly associated with SAP. Among these risk factors, long-term bedridden status had the highest prognostic value (area under the curve = 0.908) for developing SAP. Furthermore, pneumonia, in turn, strongly predicted poor prognosis at discharge and after 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia seems to be a major complication in stroke patients. A better understanding of its risk factors is important for prevention and early recognition. Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal preventive treatment for SAP patients.