Effect of poor oral health status at hospital admission on in-hospital outcomes of older patients with aspiration pneumonia
January 15, 2024
Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the effects of oral health status at admission on in-hospital outcomes and how it varies during hospitalization in older patients with aspiration pneumonia.
Methods
This prospective cohort study involved patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to an acute care hospital with a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. The patients’ basic health information, length of hospital stay (LOS), and oral health assessment tool (OHAT), functional oral intake scale (FOIS), pneumonia severity index, and clinical frailty scale scores were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on their median OHAT scores, and intergroup changes were analyzed as a function of time. The relationship between the LOS, FOIS score upon discharge, and OHAT scores at admission was examined using multiple regression analysis.
Results
Of the 89 participants (52 were men, with a mean age of 84.8 ± 7.9 years), 75 were discharged. The patients’ oral health was measured weekly for 3 weeks after the initial assessment via the OHAT, wherein the median score was 7, with a significant between-group difference. Moreover, OHAT scores improved within both groups throughout their stay. OHAT scores at admission were independently associated with the LOS (B = 5.51, P = 0.009).
Conclusion
Poor oral health status at admission was associated with longer hospital stays. Both the high- and low-OHAT groups showed OHAT score improvements. Oral health status is critical in preventing the onset of and treating aspiration pneumonia.
To investigate the effects of oral health status at admission on in-hospital outcomes and how it varies during hospitalization in older patients with aspiration pneumonia.
Methods
This prospective cohort study involved patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to an acute care hospital with a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. The patients’ basic health information, length of hospital stay (LOS), and oral health assessment tool (OHAT), functional oral intake scale (FOIS), pneumonia severity index, and clinical frailty scale scores were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on their median OHAT scores, and intergroup changes were analyzed as a function of time. The relationship between the LOS, FOIS score upon discharge, and OHAT scores at admission was examined using multiple regression analysis.
Results
Of the 89 participants (52 were men, with a mean age of 84.8 ± 7.9 years), 75 were discharged. The patients’ oral health was measured weekly for 3 weeks after the initial assessment via the OHAT, wherein the median score was 7, with a significant between-group difference. Moreover, OHAT scores improved within both groups throughout their stay. OHAT scores at admission were independently associated with the LOS (B = 5.51, P = 0.009).
Conclusion
Poor oral health status at admission was associated with longer hospital stays. Both the high- and low-OHAT groups showed OHAT score improvements. Oral health status is critical in preventing the onset of and treating aspiration pneumonia.
Journal Article
JOURNAL：European Geriatric Medicine
TITLE：Effect of poor oral health status at hospital admission on in-hospital outcomes of older patients with aspiration pneumonia
DOI：https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00917-4
TITLE：Effect of poor oral health status at hospital admission on in-hospital outcomes of older patients with aspiration pneumonia
DOI：https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00917-4
Correspondence to
Kohei Yamaguchi, Junior Associate Professor
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation,
Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences,
Tokyo Medical and Dental University(TMDU)
E-mail:k.yamaguchi.swal(at)tmd.ac.jp
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