Stroke Associated Pneumonia in Patients of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Stroke associated pneumonia has huge implications in morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure after an acute stroke. Objective: To determine the frequency of stroke associated pneumonia in patients who suffer from acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This Cross sectional survey It was conducted in the Departments of Neurology and Medicine, Services and Mayo Hospitals, Lahore from January 2019 to July 2019. Patients of acute stroke (diagnosed as per American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association criteria) were included in the study. Stroke associated pneumonia was assessed as per Pneumonia in Stroke Consensus Group recommendations. Relationship with other factors i.e. age, gender and diabetes mellitus were also evaluated. Results: Out of 285 patients, there were 147 (51.58%) males and 138 (48.42%) females. Sixty patients (21.05%) were in the age range of 30-50 years while 225 patients (78.95%) were between 51-70 years of age. Mean age of the patients was 56.86 +6.81years. Stroke associated pneumonia was found in 51 (17.89%) patients of acute stroke, 23 (45%) males and 28 (55%) females. There was no effect of age (p-value = 0.29) and gender (p-value = 0.30) on stroke associated pneumonia but diabetes mellitus was significantly (p-value = 0.00) related to stroke associated pneumonia. Conclusion: Frequency of stroke associated pneumonia is substantially high (17.89%) in patients of acute stroke. Early diagnosis should prompt management to reduce mortality, morbidity and high healthcare costs related with stroke.