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SAGE Publications, Journal of Dental Research, 12(90), p. 1398-1404, 2011

DOI: 10.1177/0022034511422909

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Meta-analysis of dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia in frail elders

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

As part of a systematic literature review, a comprehensive literature search was carried out to identify risk factors for aspiration pneumonia in frail older people. A prominent risk factor found was dysphagia with evidence level 2a, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Subsequently, a meta-analysis of 4 cohort, 1 case-cohort, and 1 case-control study on dysphagia as a risk factor of aspiration pneumonia in frail older people was performed. Using a random effects model, we found a positive correlation between dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia: OR = 9.84; 95%CI = 4.15 - 23.33 (test for statistical homogeneity: p < 0.001). Then, a subgroup meta-analysis was performed with 4 cohort studies, all including patients with a cerebrovascular disease. Once again, a positive correlation was found between dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia: OR = 12.93; 95%CI = 8.61 - 19.44. The test for statistical homogeneity revealed no statistically significant result (p = 0.15). It was concluded that dysphagia is a serious risk factor for aspiration pneumonia in frail older people, particularly in those suffering from a cerebrovascular disease.