ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL RISK FACTORS OF PNEUMONIA IN HOSPITALIZED ACUTE STROKE PATIENTS

Introduction: The symptoms of brain ischemia may be transient; lasting seconds to minutes, or may persist for longer periods of time. Hypertension is the most common and most important stroke risk factor, including isolated systolic hypertension. Aims and objectives: The objective of the present research was to determine the clinical factors responsible for pneumonia in hospitalized patients with acute stroke. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted RHC Ganda Singh wala, Kasur during 2018. 150 patients with the diagnosis of pneumonia in acute stroke setting admitted in hospital were included in the study. Sample size of 150 cases is calculated with 95% confidence level, 5% margin of error and taking expected percentage of dysphagia. Results: From 150 patients, it was observed that the minimum age was calculated as 26 years and maximum age was 70 years with mean and standard deviation of the age was 55.14 +/- 9.99 years. Males were 146/250 (58.4%) while females were 104/250 (41.6%). Uncontrolled Hypertension was present in 176/250 (70.4%) patients while it was absent in 74/250 (29.6%) patients. Impaired Level of Consciousness at Admission was present in 129/250 (51.6%) patients while it was absent in 121/250 (48.4%) patients. Conclusion: It is concluded that hypertension was present in 70.4% patients, impaired level of consciousness at admission was present in 51.6% patients and dysphagia was present in 23.6% patients with acute stroke patients who developed pneumonia within 7 days of stroke.