2026 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Muhammad Sohaib¹, Hafiz Maaz², Rawdah Shakil³, Muhammad Tayyab Muzaffar Chaychi⁴, Anam munir⁵, Haris Kamal⁶, Muhammad Ahmed⁷
¹Rollins Shool of Public Health, Emory University, ²Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur Pakistan, ³Dow University of Health Sciences, ⁴University of South Florida, ⁵internal medicine, Advent health rome GME, ⁶University of Texas At Houston, ⁷Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University

Objective:

This study aims to study the predictors and outcomes of aspiration pneumonitis following ischemic stroke by utilising the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Background:

Aspiration pneumonitis (AP) is a serious complication of acute ischemic stroke(AIS) and can lead to significantly worse outcomes and mortality.

Design/Methods:

We used the ICD-10 codes J69.0 and I63.9 for aspiration pneumonitis and AIS respectively. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges. All analyses used survey-weighted logistic regression to account for strata, clusters, and discharge weights. Multivariable models adjusted for confounders, including comorbidity burden (elixhauser index).

Results:

Among 3,708,889 AIS hospitalisations, the overall prevalence of AP was 3.68% (95% CI 3.63-3.74%). The prevalence increased from 3.42% in 2016 to 4.08% in 2022. AP was independently associated with a 36% increase in the odds of in-hospital mortality [OR: 1.36, (95% CI: 1.31–1.42)]. The crude mortality rate was over six times higher in patients with AP (21.7% vs. 3.4%, P<0.001). Patients with AP were profoundly less likely to be discharged home (5.0% vs. 37.2%, P<0.001). Furthermore, AP was independently associated with a 43% longer hospital stay and 32% higher total charges. The adjusted mean LOS was 2.0 days longer (6.7 vs. 4.7 days), and adjusted mean total charges were $22,854 higher ($93,171 vs. $70,317) per admission. Among the factors, older age was independently associated with higher odds {OR 1.018, (95% CI 1.017–1.020), p<0.001] while better outcomes noted in females [OR 0.63 (95% CI: 0.61–0.65), p<0.001 )].

Conclusions:

AP is serious complication, if present increase mortality and more common in elderly and leads to prolonged hospitalization and poor outcomes. Early interventions to prevent aspiration pneumonitis is required. limitation of this cross-sectional study were accounted.