Analysis of risk factors affecting short-term prognosis in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of nutritional status and severity of infection on short-term prognosis in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia (AP), and to evaluate the risk factors of the disease. Methods Total of 116 elderly AP patients were retrospectively analyzed who were treated in emergency of Beijing Tongren Hospital between January 2015 and March 2018. Nutrition index, PSI and BMI of the patients were assessed on admission, while white blood cell count(WBC), neutrophil ratio, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin(PCT), total lymphocyte count, serum albumin, hemoglobin, cholesterol , triglycerides and cholinesterase were assessed during hospitalization. All 116 patients were divided into survival group or death group after admission 30 days. Results Totally 116 elderly AP patients treated in Emergency Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital between January 2015 and March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Nutrition index, PSI and body mass index (BMI) of the patients were assessed on admission, while white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil ratio, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), total lymphocyte count, serum albumin, hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides and cholinesterase were assessed during hospitalization. All 116 patients were divided into the survival group or the death group according to the prognosis on 30 days after admission. Conclusions Nutrition status and the severity of infection have significant impact on the prognosis of elderly patients with AP, and for indicators, nutrition index, WBC, PSI and cholinesterase levels were crucial. The effective anemia amelioration, nutrition improvement and infection control are essential components for reducing mortality of elderly patients with AP. Key words: Aged; Aspiration pneumonia; Prognosis; Nutrition; Risk factors