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Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Apr 2022The growing population of older people worldwide represents a great challenge for health systems. The elderly are at increased risk of infectious diseases such as... (Review)
Review
The growing population of older people worldwide represents a great challenge for health systems. The elderly are at increased risk of infectious diseases such as pneumonia, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality related mainly to age-related physiological changes in the immune system (immunosenescence), the presence of multiple chronic comorbidities, and frailty. In pneumonia, microaspiration is recognized as the main pathogenic mechanism; while macroaspiration which refers to the aspiration of a large amount of oropharyngeal or upper gastrointestinal content passing through the vocal cords and trachea into the lungs is identified as "aspiration pneumonia". Although there are strategies for the prevention and management of patients with pneumonia that have been shown to be effective in older people with pneumonia, more research is needed on aspiration pneumonia, its risk factors and outcomes, especially since there are no specific criteria for its diagnosis and consequently, the studies on aspiration pneumonia include heterogeneous populations.
Topics: Aged; Comorbidity; Humans; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35488832
DOI: 10.37201/req/s01.17.2022 -
European Geriatric Medicine Oct 2022Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is highly common across the world. It is reported that over 90% of CAP in older adults may be due to aspiration. However, the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is highly common across the world. It is reported that over 90% of CAP in older adults may be due to aspiration. However, the diagnostic criteria for aspiration pneumonia (AP) have not been widely agreed. Is there a consensus on how to diagnose AP? What are the clinical features of patients being diagnosed with AP? We conducted a systematic review to answer these questions.
METHODS
We performed a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, and Cochrane to review the steps taken toward diagnosing AP. Search terms for "aspiration pneumonia" and "aged" were used. Inclusion criteria were: original research, community-acquired AP, age ≥ 75 years old, acute hospital admission.
RESULTS
A total of 10,716 reports were found. Following the removal of duplicates, 7601 were screened, 95 underwent full-text review, and 9 reports were included in the final analysis. Pneumonia was diagnosed using a combination of symptoms, inflammatory markers, and chest imaging findings in most studies. AP was defined as pneumonia with some relation to aspiration or dysphagia. Aspiration was inferred if there was witnessed or prior presumed aspiration, episodes of coughing on food or liquids, relevant underlying conditions, abnormalities on videofluoroscopy or water swallow test, and gravity-dependent distribution of shadows on chest imaging. Patients with AP were older, more frailer, and had more comorbidities than in non-AP.
CONCLUSION
There is a broad consensus on the clinical criteria to diagnose AP. It is a presumptive diagnosis with regards to patients' general frailty rather than in relation to swallowing function itself.
Topics: Aged; Community-Acquired Infections; Deglutition; Humans; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Water
PubMed: 36008745
DOI: 10.1007/s41999-022-00689-3 -
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2012Dysphagia is a prevalent difficulty among aging adults. Though increasing age facilitates subtle physiologic changes in swallow function, age-related diseases are... (Review)
Review
Dysphagia is a prevalent difficulty among aging adults. Though increasing age facilitates subtle physiologic changes in swallow function, age-related diseases are significant factors in the presence and severity of dysphagia. Among elderly diseases and health complications, stroke and dementia reflect high rates of dysphagia. In both conditions, dysphagia is associated with nutritional deficits and increased risk of pneumonia. Recent efforts have suggested that elderly community dwellers are also at risk for dysphagia and associated deficits in nutritional status and increased pneumonia risk. Swallowing rehabilitation is an effective approach to increase safe oral intake in these populations and recent research has demonstrated extended benefits related to improved nutritional status and reduced pneumonia rates. In this manuscript, we review data describing age related changes in swallowing and discuss the relationship of dysphagia in patients following stroke, those with dementia, and in community dwelling elderly. Subsequently, we review basic approaches to dysphagia intervention including both compensatory and rehabilitative approaches. We conclude with a discussion on the positive impact of swallowing rehabilitation on malnutrition and pneumonia in elderly who either present with dysphagia or are at risk for dysphagia.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Dementia; Enteral Nutrition; Humans; Malnutrition; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Posture; Stroke
PubMed: 22956864
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S23404 -
Respiratory Medicine 2021Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is a sub-type of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) still poorly recognized especially in the absence of an aspiration event. A further... (Review)
Review
Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is a sub-type of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) still poorly recognized especially in the absence of an aspiration event. A further difficulty is the differentiation between AP and aspiration pneumonitis. From a clinical perspective, AP is becoming increasingly relevant as a potential cause of severe and life-threatening respiratory infection among frail and very old patients, particularly among those with CAP requiring inpatient care. Moreover, AP is frequently underdiagnosed and a clear-cut definition of this pathological entity is lacking. There are different factors that increase the risk for aspiration, but other common factors influencing oral colonization such as malnutrition, smoking, poor oral hygiene or dry mouth, are also important in the pathogenesis of AP and should be considered. While there is no doubt in the diagnosis of AP in cases of a recent witnessed aspiration of oropharyngeal or gastric content, we here proposed a definition of AP that also includes silent unobserved aspirations. For this reason, the presence of one or more risk factors of oropharyngeal aspiration is required together with one or more risk factors for oral bacterial colonization. This proposed definition based on expert opinion not only unifies the diagnostic criteria of AP, but also provides the possibility to devise easily applicable strategies to prevent oral colonization.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Community-Acquired Infections; Female; Humans; Male; Malnutrition; Mouth; Oral Hygiene Index; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Respiratory Aspiration; Risk Factors; Smoking
PubMed: 34087609
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106485 -
British Journal of Anaesthesia Jul 2014Pulmonary aspiration of gastric content is a serious anaesthetic complication that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Aspiration risk assessment is usually... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary aspiration of gastric content is a serious anaesthetic complication that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Aspiration risk assessment is usually based on fasting times. However, fasting guidelines do not apply to urgent or emergent situations and to patients with certain co-morbidities. Gastric content and volume assessment is a new point-of-care ultrasound application that can help determine aspiration risk. This systematic review summarizes the current literature on bedside ultrasound assessment of gastric content and volume relevant to anaesthesia practice. Seventeen articles were identified using predetermined criteria. Studies were classified into those describing the sonographic characteristics of different types of gastric content (empty, clear fluid, solid), and those describing methods for quantitative assessment of gastric volume. A possible algorithm for the clinical application of this new tool is proposed, and areas that require further research are highlighted.
Topics: Algorithms; Anesthesia; Gastrointestinal Contents; Humans; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Point-of-Care Systems; Preoperative Care; Risk Assessment; Stomach; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 24893784
DOI: 10.1093/bja/aeu151 -
Physiological Research Dec 2021Aspiration is a common condition affecting healthy or sick patients which could create an acute or chronic inflammatory reaction in the lungs. Aspiration syndromes could... (Review)
Review
Aspiration is a common condition affecting healthy or sick patients which could create an acute or chronic inflammatory reaction in the lungs. Aspiration syndromes could be categorized according to a content entering the respiratory system into bacterial aspiration pneumonia with the gastric or oropharyngeal bacteria entering, aspiration chemical pneumonitis with bacteria-freegastric acid aspiration, or aspiration of a foreign body which causes an acute pulmonary emergency. There are differences in the clinical presentation of volume-dependent aspirations (microaspiration and macroaspiration): the higher is the volume of aspiration, the greater is the injury to the patient and more serious are the health consequences (with 70 % mortality rate for hospitalized patients). Aspiration syndromes can affect both the airways and pulmonary parenchyma, leading to acute lung injury, increased hospitalization rate and worse outcomes in critically ill patients. Impaired alveolar-capillary permeability, oedema formation, neutrophilic inflammatory response and pulmonary surfactant inactivation lead to reduced lung compliance and loss of aerated lung tissue and give rise to hypoxemia and respiratory failure. This review discusses the effect of aspiration events on the pulmonary tissue. The main focus is to distinguish the differences between bacterial and chemical pneumonia, their clinical presentation and symptoms, risk factors of developing the changes, possibilities of diagnostics and management as well as prevention of aspirations. Because of a risk of serious lung damage after the aspiration, pathophysiology and processes leading to lung tissue injury are discussed in detail. Data sources represent a systematic literature search using relevant medical subject headings.
Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Humans; Incidence; Lung; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Syndrome
PubMed: 35199544
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934767 -
Respiratory Investigation Jan 2022In the 21st century, aspiration pneumonia (ASP) is very common in older patients, and has a high mortality rate. ASP is diagnosed following confirmation of inflammatory... (Review)
Review
In the 21st century, aspiration pneumonia (ASP) is very common in older patients, and has a high mortality rate. ASP is diagnosed following confirmation of inflammatory findings in the lungs and overt aspiration or the existence of dysphagia. It is dominant in hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP), and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). The incidence of ASP is increasing every year. The human and experimental animal data revealed that micro-aspiration due to dysphagia during the night is the central mechanism of ASP. Therefore, the precise assessment of swallowing function is the key to diagnose ASP. From a therapeutic point of view, an appropriate administration of antibiotics, as well as a comprehensive approach for dysphagia plays a pivotal role in the prognosis and recovery from ASP. The non-pharmacologic approach, including swallowing rehabilitation and oral care, and a pharmacologic approach including ACE inhibitors and bronchodilators, are essential modalities for treatment and prevention of ASP. The clinical data of NHCAP provides us with a promising treatment strategy for ASP.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Community-Acquired Infections; Deglutition Disorders; Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia; Humans; Models, Animal; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Aspiration
PubMed: 34782300
DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2021.09.012 -
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2018Aspiration pneumonia is a common problem in older people with high mortality and increasing prevalence.
BACKGROUND
Aspiration pneumonia is a common problem in older people with high mortality and increasing prevalence.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this paper were to systematically review the literature on the antibacterial treatment of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients and identify the microbiology of aspiration pneumonia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies that examined the clinical efficacy of antibiotic treatment in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia. Information on study design, antibiotic treatment, study population, participants, microbiology, clinical outcomes, adverse events, and mortality was recorded.
RESULTS
There were no definitive clinical trials, placebo-controlled trials, or meta-analyses. Of the eight studies selected for inclusion in the review, the majority utilized and/or compared broad-spectrum antibiotics. No specific antibacterial agent had evidence of superior efficacy. Broad-spectrum antibiotics resulted in the emergence of multiresistant organisms. Anaerobic bacteria were infrequently isolated, suggesting a less important role in the pathogenesis of aspiration pneumonia.
CONCLUSION
There is limited evidence with regard to the use of antibiotics in older patients with aspiration pneumonia. Research providing an evidence base for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia in older people is required.
Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Humans; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30464429
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S183344 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37871952
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230628 -
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 2022The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia after hip fracture surgery.
OBJECTIVES
The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia after hip fracture surgery.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study from 2005 to 2021.
SETTING
Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
PARTICIPANTS
A total 1,208 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent hip fracture surgery.
MEASUREMENTS
Postoperative pneumonia was defined as cases with new infiltration on chest x-ray or chest computed tomography (CT) after surgery or confirmed by a pulmonologist's consultation and diagnosis. Aspiration pneumonia was defined as: 1) radiologic findings of hospital-acquired pneumonia on chest radiographs or CT, medical record of aspiration pneumonia confirmed by a pulmonologist's consultation, and history of vomiting or aspiration, or 2) gravity-dependent opacity on chest CT when the history of vomiting or aspiration is ambiguous. Patient demographics, past medical history, pre-injury Koval score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), blood test results, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. A comparison analysis and binary logistic regression were performed to identify the incidence and risk factors for postoperative pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia.
RESULTS
Postoperative pneumonia was diagnosed in 47 patients (3.9%), including 20 with aspiration pneumonia (1.7%). In the multivariate analysis, postoperative delirium (odds ratio [OR], 3.42; P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores ≥ 3 (OR, 2.11; P = 0.021), and CCI (OR, 1.21; P = 0.013) were significant risk factors for postoperative pneumonia. Male sex (OR, 3.01; P = 0.017), postoperative delirium (OR, 3.16; P = 0.014), and preoperative serum albumin levels < 3.5 g/dL (OR, 7.00; P = 0.010) were significant risk factors for aspiration pneumonia.
CONCLUSION
ASA classification ≥ 3, higher CCI, and postoperative delirium were the risk factors for postoperative pneumonia. Male sex, postoperative delirium, and lower preoperative serum albumin level were the risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Thus, physicians should pay attention to patients with the risk factors.
Topics: Aged; Delirium; Hip Fractures; Humans; Male; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Serum Albumin; Vomiting
PubMed: 35842764
DOI: 10.1007/s12603-022-1821-9