The severity of nutrition and pneumonia predicts survival in patients with aspiration pneumonia: A retrospective observational study

INTRODUCTION: Aspiration pneumonia is a common problem among older adults; it has a high mortality rate and the prevalence is increasing. Reports on the risk factors for mortality in patients with aspiration pneumonia are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for 90‐day survival in patients with aspiration pneumonia. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016. Patients with aspiration pneumonia who had dysphagia or aspiration confirmed by modified water swallow test or VideoEndoscopic examination of swallowing were included. The primary endpoint was 90‐day survival. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with survival and non‐survival at 90 days as the independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 276 patients were recruited for this study. The A‐DROP score (odds ratio [OR] = 2.440; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.400–4.270; p < 0.01), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index score (OR = 0.383; 95% CI, 0.178–0.824; p < 0.05) and sex (OR = 0.365; 95% CI, 0.153–0.869; p < 0.05) were independent early predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that nutritional status and the severity of pneumonia are important factors that predict life expectancy in patients with aspiration pneumonia.