The establishment of a stroke-associated pneumonia predictive scoring system

Abstract

Background & Objective: Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a common complication of ischemic stroke, increasing the length of hospital stay and costs, and affecting prognosis. This study aimed to determine the incidence of SAP, investigate the risk factors that lead to SAP to facilitate a more targeted response to the prevention of SAP.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed to analyze the factors that predict SAP in an acute stroke population from a university affiliated hospital in Fujian, China. A SAP risk score table was constructed.

Results: A total of 1,016 patients with acute cerebral infarction were enrolled. The incidence of SAP was 13.58%. Multivariate regression analysis found that age, NIHSS, GCS scores, dysphagia, heart failure, creatinine, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) use were independently associated with SAP. Based on the data, a SAP risk score table was constructed with age > 75 years -2 points, NIHSS ≥ 16 -2 points, GCS score ≤ 8 -1.5 points, dysphagia - 5 points, heart failure - 1.5 points, creatinine - 1 point, PPIs use - 1.5 points, a total of 14.5 points. The optimal value was 3 points.

Conclusions: Age, NIHSS, GCS score, dysphagia, heart failure, creatinine, and PPIs use were predictive of SAP.