In:
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Wiley, Vol. 49, No. 5 ( 2001-05), p. 557-563
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the importance of medical and dental factors in aspiration pneumonia in an older veteran population. DESIGN: Prospective enrollment of subjects with retrospective analysis of data. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, and nursing home. PARTICIPANTS: 358 veterans age 55 and older; 50 subjects with aspiration pneumonia. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and medical data; functional status; health‐related behaviors; dental care utilization; personal oral hygiene; comprehensive dental examination; salivary assays including IgA antibodies; and cultures of saliva, throat, and dental plaques. RESULTS: Two logistic regression models produced estimates of significant risk factors. One model using dentate patients included: requiring help with feeding (odds ratio (OR) = 13.9), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR = 4.7), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.5), number of decayed teeth (OR = 1.2), number of functional dental units (OR = 1.2), presence of important organisms for decay, Streptococcus sobrinus in saliva (OR = 6.2), and periodontal disease, Porphyromonous gingivalis in dental plaque (OR = 4.2), and Staphylococcus aureus presence in saliva (OR = 7.4). The second model, containing both dentate and edentulous patients included: requiring help with feeding (OR = 4.7), COPD (OR = 2.5), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.7), and presence of S. aureus in saliva (OR = 8.3). CONCLUSION: This study supports the significance of oral and dental factors while controlling for established medical risk factors in aspiration pneumonia incidence.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0002-8614
,
1532-5415
DOI:
10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.49113.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2040494-3
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