Effect of Parenteral Energy or Amino Acid Doses on In-Hospital Mortality Among Patients With Aspiration Pneumonia: A Cohort Medical Claims Database Study.

Background: This study examined the association between parenteral energy/amino acid doses and in-hospital mortality among inpatients on long-term nil per os (NPO) status, using a medical claims database in Japan.

Methods: Hospitalized patients with aspiration pneumonia, aged 65 and older, and on more than 7-day NPO status were identified in a medical claims database between January 2013 and December 2018. Using multivariate logistic regression and regression analyses, we examined the association between mean parenteral energy/amino acid doses and in-hospital mortality, and secondarily, the association between prognosis (in-hospital mortality, inability to receive full oral intake, readmission, and hospital stay length) and 4 groups of mean amino acid doses (no dose: 0 g/kg/day; very low dose: >0, ≤0.3 g/kg/day; low dose: >0.3, ≤0.6 g/kg/day; moderate dose: >0.6 g/kg/day).

Results: The analysis population included 20 457 inpatients (≥80 years: 78.3%). In total, 5 920 mortalities were recorded. Increased amino acid doses were significantly associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (p < .001). With a no dose reference level, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of in-hospital mortality adjusted for potential confounders were 0.78 (0.72-0.85), 0.74 (0.67-0.82), and 0.69 (0.59-0.81) for very low, low, and moderate amino acid doses, respectively. Additionally, patients prescribed amino acid dose levels more than 0.6 g/kg/day had shorter hospitalization periods than those prescribed none.

Conclusions: Increased amino acid doses were associated with reduced in-hospital mortality. Sufficient amino acid administration is recommended for patients with aspiration pneumonia requiring NPO status.