Abstract

FACTORS PREDICTING PNEUMONIA IN THE FIRST WEEK POST STROKE

Dr. Wissam F. Hassan*, Qays Jaafar Khalaf and Ghassan Munthir Jawammer

ABSTRACT

Background: Post stroke infections (PSI) are a significant clinical problem with poor short and long term outcomes, The increased susceptibility to infections after stroke has been linked to a diverse set of factors that may predispose an individual to chest infection early in the course of stroke. Objective: This study aimed to provide evidence on factors associated with respiratory infections in the very acute stroke period in Baqubah city, Diyala province. Patients and Methods: this study involved 152 stroke patients admitted to Baqubah Teaching Hospitals from 22th of August 2017 to 10th of February 2018. Data were collected on 11 clinical and demographic parameters. The Chi-square- x2 test was performed. Results: The percentage of respiratory infection was15.78%. the infected patients who required full assistance with mobility[OR2.442, 95% CI0.785-7.598] During the first week post stroke nasogastric tubes(NGT) [OR5.694, 95% CI2.258-14.360] and Nil By Mouth (NBM) [OR5.694, 95% CI2.258-14.360] were associated with respiratory infections. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical period of susceptibility to infection in early stroke and the importance of identifying and minimizing risk factors associated with after stroke pneumonia to improve patient outcomes. Increased age, Dysphagia, NGT feeding, NBM, severe GCS are significantly associated with chest infections developing in the first week post stroke. Future studies are needed to determine the impact of protective measures in reducing the burden of infection in the acute stroke.

Keywords: Stroke, Pneumonia, NGT feeding, Dysphagia, respiratory infections.