Abstract

Dr. Nabeel Ahmad*, Dr. Nimra Khan and Dr. Mahrukh Javed Khan

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of the study was to: Determine the frequency of stroke associated pneumonia in stroke patients. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: This study was carried out in Department of Nishtar Hospital Multan. Methodology: A total of 285 cases fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria recruited from Department of Medicine, Nishtar Hospital Multan were enrolled in the study after taking an informed consent from the patients to include their data in the study with the assurance of confidentiality of their record. History and complete examination of the patients were done. All diagnosed cases of stroke were followed till 30 days (either in medical ward/outdoor) for stroke associated pneumonia, with positive finding in chest X-ray and culture of tracheal aspiration (as per operational definition) by the researcher herself. Results: In our study, out of 100 cases 21.05%(n=60) were between 30-50 years of age while 78.95%(n=225) were between 51-70 years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 56.86+6.81 years, 51.58%(n=147) were male and 48.42%(n=138) were females. Frequency of stroke associated pneumonia in patients with stroke was recorded in 17.89% (n=51). Conclusion: We concluded that the frequency of stroke associated pneumonia is quite high among stroke patients. However, these cases should be diagnosed early managed accordingly.