A Study of Dysphagia Cases Focusing on the Difference Between Aspiration Pneumonia and Aspiration Pneumonitis

Abstract

　In patients admitted with worsening respiratory conditions due to aspiration related lung disease, we investigated whether there were differences in swallowing function at the time of admission and the ability to regain oral intake depending on the type of disease. The subjects were 135 patients (mean age 84.9± 8.7 years) who were hospitalized with aspiration pulmonary disease accompanied by worsening respiratory status and in whom STs (speech language hearing therapists) performed early intervention. They were divided into two groups: 113 patients with aspiration pneumonia and 22 patients with aspiration pneumonitis, and compared retrospectively. As a result, the aspiration pneumonitis group showed significantly lower albumin levels at admission, MWST (modified water swallowing test), and FOIS (Functional Oral Intake Scale) at discharge and transfer compared to the aspiration pneumonia group (p＜0.05). This study suggests that in the acute phase, the aspiration pneumonia group had more difficulty regaining oral intake than the aspiration pneumonitis group, and that swallowing function was impaired.