[Association between aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition in patients from active geriatric units].

Purpose: To study the association between malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia (AP) in patients from active geriatric units and describe patients who developed AP.

Methods: Cases of AP were identified from archived medical charts of two active geriatric units between 2001 and 2007 (n=2238). The prevalence of neurologic disorders, dysphagia and malnutrition was assessed in patients who developed AP and those who did not.

Results: Cumulative incidence of AP was low in both units investigated (1.1%). Aspiration pneumonia was highly associated with neurologic disorders (stroke and Parkinson's disease) and dysphagia (p<0.01), and tended to be more prevalent in those who were malnourished (p<0.10). In AP cases, about 80% of patients were malnourished as assessed by the dietitians, a result supported by a high prevalence of nutritional risk indicators.

Conclusions: Results support the hypothesis that malnutrition could have contributed to AP in these two active geriatric units. Prevention and treatment of malnutrition, especially in dysphagic patients, could reduce risk of AP in hospitalized elderly.