Aspiration of food or fluid

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 65 views

Background

Pneumonia aspiration is a serious complication that often occurs in acute stroke patients who experience dysphagia. Dysphagia is a difficulty swallowing that can cause food or fluid into the airway, thereby increasing the risk of pneumonia. To overcome nutritional problems in stroke patients with dysphagia, the use of nasogastric tube (NGT) is often recommended as a safe and effective method. However, despite using NGT, many patients still experience aspirations, which are questions about the effectiveness of NGT in preventing pneumonia. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the use of NGT and the incidence of pneumonia in acute stroke patients who experience dysphagia.

Methodology

This study is a latitude cutting study involving 60 acute stroke patients with dysphagia who were treated at the Adam Malik Hajj General Hospital. Of these, 30 patients use NGT for nutrition, while 30 other patients do not use NGT. Patients who have suffered from pneumonia or other lung infections and have decreased consciousness were excluded from research. During the acute phase, the patient is observed and the diagnosis of pneumonia is based on criteria determined by the Indonesian Lung Doctor Association.

Results

Of the 30 acute stroke patients who use NGT, the average age is 59 years with a proportion of 13 patients (43.3%) of women and 17 patients (56.7%) male. In groups that do not use NGT, the average age is 54 years with 16 patients (53.3%) male and 14 patients (46.7%) of women. Statistical analysis shows that there is no significant relationship between the use of NGT (p = 0.117, r = 0.014) and the duration of the use of NGT with the incidence of pneumonia (p = 0.591, r = 0.063). Odds Ratio shows that patients who use NGT have a risk of 0.30 times smaller to experience pneumonia. Bacterial culture taken shows the presence of gram -negative bacteria.

Discussion

The discovery that the use of NGT has no significant relationship with the incidence of pneumonia shows the need for more attention in the management of stroke patients with dysphagia. This is important because even though NGT is used to reduce the risk of aspiration, in fact there are still aspiration incidents that can trigger pneumonia. Therefore, it is important for medical personnel to consider alternative nutrition methods and other prevention strategies to reduce the risk of pneumonia in this patient.

In addition, the duration of the use of NGT which is not significantly related to the incidence of pneumonia confirms that the length of use is not the only factor that influences the occurrence of this complication. Cleanliness, installation techniques, and proper monitoring during the use of NGT also become an important aspect that needs attention.

Factors Contributing to Pneumonia in Acute Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

Several factors can contribute to the development of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia. These include:

Aspiration of food or fluid: Aspiration of food or fluid into the airway can trigger pneumonia.
Bacterial colonization: Bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract can increase the risk of pneumonia.
Weakened immune system: A weakened immune system can increase the risk of pneumonia.
Poor nutrition: Poor nutrition can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of pneumonia.

Conclusion

The use of Nasogastric Tube and the length of time use does not show a significant relationship with the incidence of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia. This shows the need for further research to understand other factors that might affect the risk of pneumonia, as well as improving nutritional management and aspiration prevention in patients with similar conditions.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Alternative nutrition methods: Medical personnel should consider alternative nutrition methods, such as oral feeding or enteral feeding, to reduce the risk of aspiration.
Prevention strategies: Medical personnel should implement prevention strategies, such as proper monitoring and cleaning of the NGT, to reduce the risk of pneumonia.
Further research: Further research is needed to understand other factors that might affect the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Selection bias: The selection of patients for this study may be biased, which may affect the validity of the findings.
Limited follow-up: The follow-up period of this study is limited, which may affect the accuracy of the findings.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Investigate other factors: Investigate other factors that might affect the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.
Improve nutritional management: Improve nutritional management and aspiration prevention in patients with similar conditions.
Develop new prevention strategies: Develop new prevention strategies to reduce the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Q: What is the relationship between nasogastric tube use and pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia?

A: The study found that there is no significant relationship between the use of nasogastric tube (NGT) and the incidence of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Q: What are the complications of dysphagia in acute stroke patients?

A: Dysphagia in acute stroke patients can lead to pneumonia aspiration, which is a serious complication that can increase the risk of pneumonia.

Q: What is the purpose of using nasogastric tube in acute stroke patients with dysphagia?

A: The purpose of using nasogastric tube (NGT) in acute stroke patients with dysphagia is to overcome nutritional problems and reduce the risk of aspiration.

Q: What are the factors that contribute to the development of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia?

A: Several factors can contribute to the development of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia, including aspiration of food or fluid, bacterial colonization, weakened immune system, and poor nutrition.

Q: What are the recommendations for improving nutritional management and aspiration prevention in patients with similar conditions?

A: Medical personnel should consider alternative nutrition methods, such as oral feeding or enteral feeding, to reduce the risk of aspiration. They should also implement prevention strategies, such as proper monitoring and cleaning of the NGT, to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a small sample size, selection bias, and limited follow-up period.

Q: What are the future directions for research?

A: Future studies should aim to investigate other factors that might affect the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia, improve nutritional management and aspiration prevention in patients with similar conditions, and develop new prevention strategies to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Q: What are the implications of the study for clinical practice?

A: The study highlights the need for medical personnel to consider alternative nutrition methods and prevention strategies to reduce the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using nasogastric tube in acute stroke patients with dysphagia?

A: The use of nasogastric tube (NGT) can help to overcome nutritional problems and reduce the risk of aspiration in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Q: What are the potential risks of using nasogastric tube in acute stroke patients with dysphagia?

A: The use of nasogastric tube (NGT) can also lead to complications, such as pneumonia aspiration, which can increase the risk of pneumonia.

Q: What are the recommendations for further research?

A: Further research is needed to understand other factors that might affect the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients with dysphagia, improve nutritional management and aspiration prevention in patients with similar conditions, and develop new prevention strategies to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Q: What are the implications of the study for public health?

A: The study highlights the need for public health initiatives to improve nutritional management and aspiration prevention in patients with similar conditions.

Q: What are the potential applications of the study?

A: The study has potential applications in clinical practice, public health, and research.

Q: What are the limitations of the study in terms of generalizability?

A: The study has limitations in terms of generalizability due to the small sample size and selection bias.

Q: What are the potential biases in the study?

A: The study has potential biases, including selection bias and limited follow-up period.