Relationship Between Start of Feeding and Functional Outcome in Aspiration Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Aspiration pneumonia is the predominant form of pneumonia in the elderly. Low oral intake levels and malnutrition have been reported to be associated with increased mortality and loss of function in aspiration pneumonia. However, the relationship between start of feeding and readmission, which is associated with malnutrition and low oral intake levels, has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between start of feeding and functional prognosis in aspiration pneumonia. Patients' basic information, comorbidities, severity of pneumonia, swallowing function, time from admission to the start of feeding, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), readmission, and Barthel index (BI) were evaluated in 160 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: a readmission group and a non-readmission group. The readmission group was 62 cases (38.8%). Univariate analysis showed that the time from admission to the start of feeding was significantly longer in the readmission group. Age was significantly higher and nutrition parameters were lower in the readmission group. According to logistic regression analysis, readmission was associated with age and time from admission to the start of feeding. The time from admission to the start of feeding was significantly longer in the readmitted patients.   A comprehensive intervention with multidisciplinary collaboration should be performed from the early stage of hospitalization. It is necessary to carry out indirect swallowing training from the time of hospitalization, nursing care such as feeding assistance, oral care, and functional training; to periodically evaluate intention; to identify problems by conference; and to decide on a treatment plan.