Aspiration pneumonia: dental and oral risk factors in an older veteran population

Effect of various antibacterial preparations on the pathogenic oral flora in elderly patients fed via nasogastric tube

Oropharyngeal colonization by pathogenic gram-negative bacilli (GNB) and Staphylococcus aureus is associated with aspiration pneumonia. Decolonization in high-risk populations may be important. We prospectively evaluated six antiseptic compounds in nasogastric tube-fed frail elderly patients; only polymixine reduced oropharyngeal colonization with GNB. None had an effect on S. aureus colonization.

Pneumonia in the Nursing Home

Pneumonia syndromes may be caused by infection or the aspiration of food, acid, or particulate material. Antibiotic-resistant organisms or recurrent aspiration should be considered if the response to treatment is poor. Clinicians should consider discontinuing antibiotics if the resident's status rapidly returns to baseline after a noninfectious macro-aspiration event. The natural history of this process, however, is not well characterized. Diagnostic procedures including sputum gram stain, culture, and urinary antigen testing should be pursued to diagnose pathogens not covered by empiric therapy or to focus therapy with narrow spectrum agents. Sources of aspiration, including pharyngeal dysphagia, periodontal disease, and gastric regurgitation, should be identified and treated in hopes of preventing recurrence.

Improving Oral Care in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

• Background Comprehensive oral care is an evidence-based prevention strategy to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Until recently, no comprehensive guidelines or standards existed to define necessary tasks, methods, and frequency of oral care to provide patients with optimal results.

• Objectives To observe current practice of, define best practice for, and measure compliance with standardized comprehensive oral care.

• Methods This observational study was part of a larger research study performed at 5 acute care hospitals. Time blocks of 4 hours were randomized over 8 intensive care units and the 7 days of the week. Baseline data were collected before implementation of multifaceted education on an oral-cleansing protocol; interventional data were collected afterward.

• Results Oral care practices were observed for 253 patients. During the baseline period, oral cleansing was primarily via suction swabs. Toothbrushing and moisturizing of the oral tissues were not observed. Only 32% of the patients had suctioning to manage oral secretions. During the interventional period, 33% of patients had their teeth brushed, 65% had swab cleansing, and 63% had a moisturizer applied to the oral mucosal tissues. A total of 61% had management of oral secretions; 38% had oropharyngeal suctioning via a special catheter.

• Conclusions Implementation of an evidence-based oral cleansing protocol improved the care of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Multifaceted education and implementation strategies motivated staff to increase oral care practices.

Periodontal Treatment in Severe Aplastic Anemia

BACKGROUND

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare hematologic disease characterized by hypo-cellular bone marrow. The clinical features include fatigue, increased bruising, and gingival bleeding caused by anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. A patient with AA is at high risk for infection because of leukopenia. The risk of systemic infection is especially high in AA patients with severe local infections, including periodontitis. Accordingly, periodontal treatment should include antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the risk of systemic infection. However, treatment of periodontitis in the AA patient is significantly complicated by the bleeding disorder. We present a case report of the successful periodontal treatment of an AA patient with spontaneous gingival bleeding.

METHODS

The patient was closely monitored for platelet and neutrophil counts before every treatment. The patient's platelet count was always under 10,000/microl. Therefore, it was necessary to increase platelet counts to over 25,000/microl by transfusion, after which subgingival scaling with anesthesia was performed. When the neutrophil count was less than 2,000/microl, local minocycline chemotherapy was applied to the pockets. Periodontal infection was monitored by detection of bacterial DNA and measurement of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G titer against periodontal bacteria.

RESULTS

Following the physical and chemical treatment, the gingival appearance improved dramatically and the spontaneous gingival bleeding disappeared. Moreover, the IgG titer against periodontal bacteria decreased to normal range and specific periodontal pathogens were no longer detectable in the tested pockets.

CONCLUSION

We believe that the treatment strategy in the present report provides new sight into treatment planning for severely medically compromised patients.

Systemic effects of periodontal diseases

A number of studies suggest an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes,and pregnancy complications. Presently, the data must be regarded as preliminary. Additional large-scale longitudinal epidemiologic and interventional studies are necessary to validate these associations and to determine whether the associations are causal. The goal of this article is to review the history of this concept, describe the biologically plausible circumstances that may underlie these potential associations, and provide a summary of the published literature that supports or refutes them.

Geriatric oral health and pneumonia risk

The oral cavity is a complex microenvironment consisting of multiple bacterial and fungal species, their associated biofilms, and a cytokine milieu influenced by constant inflammatory stimulation. Multiple infectious consequences of poor oral health have been extensively described and primarily affect older adults. Probably the most common sequelae of poor oral health in aged persons is a risk of aspiration pneumonia. The risk of aspiration pneumonia is greatest when periodontal disease, dental caries, and poor oral hygiene are compounded by swallowing disease, feeding problems, and poor functional status. The effectiveness of oral hygiene interventions for preventing aspiration pneumonia and barriers to oral care of nursing home patients require additional study, but the current state of research in these areas is reviewed in this manuscript. The expense of aspiration pneumonia as a nursing home complication makes dental hygiene a potentially cost-saving intervention.

Can We Prevent Aspiration Pneumonia in the Nursing Home?

Aspiration pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality in the nursing home population. Patients who aspirate have three times higher mortality than patients who do not aspirate. We discuss the factors known to increase the risk of aspiration and its consequences, and recognize some of the preventive measures for aspiration pneumonia. We suggest approaches to decrease the risk of this very prevalent syndrome.

Caring for elderly long-term care patients: oral health-related concerns and issues

Much work is needed to resolve the many issues of prevention in the complex environment of long-term care facilities and to provide effective curative care for individuals, no matter how frail, who could benefit from comprehensive dental services.

Prognostic Implications of Swallowing Ability in Elderly Patients After Initial Recovery From Stroke

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear how swallowing assessment can help clinicians to predict the risk for pneumonia in elderly persons after ischemic stroke. A prospective case-control study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic utility of swallowing ability assessments.

METHODS

Participants were 136 elderly persons who had an acute ischemic stroke 3-12 months previously. They were separated into four groups based on their history of repeated episodes of pneumonia in combination with swallowing ability: Group 1 had neither repeated pneumonia nor swallowing abnormality (n = 69); group 2 had repeated pneumonia but no swallowing abnormality (n = 0); group 3 had swallowing abnormality but no repeated pneumonia (n = 54); and group 4 had both swallowing abnormality and repeated pneumonia (n = 13). The follow-up period was as long as 2.2 years. Outcomes and causes of death were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

During the study, the overall mortality rate was higher in group 3 (24 deaths, 44.4%) and group 4 (9 deaths, 69.2%) than in group 1 (3 deaths, 4.3%, both p <.05). The annual mortality rate from pneumonia was also significantly higher in group 3 (21.2%) and group 4 (38.2%) than in group 1 (0.8%, p <.0001). The odds ratio for patients who subsequently died of pneumonia was 46.8 between groups 1 and 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The high sensitivity (.96) and specificity (.68) of swallowing ability indicate that the method is useful for identifying those persons at greatest risk for pneumonia and death after ischemic stroke.

Prevention and Treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia in Intensive Care Units

Aspiration is a leading cause of nosocomial infection in the intensive care unit. Techniques to avoid or reduce aspiration are important in preventing pneumonia and pneumonitis. The most important preventive measures include the semi-recumbent position, the surveillance of enteral feeding, the use of promotility agents, and avoiding excessive sedation. The analysis of the pathogens involved in these syndromes usually shows a minor role for the anerobes. With regard to treatment, aspiration pneumonitis does not require any antimicrobials; on the contrary, aspiration pneumonia has to be treated. Empiric antimicrobials treatment should be started on clinical suspicion. The choice of the drug has to be guided by local pathogen epidemiology and clinical features; in fact, community type pneumonia requires a first-line antimicrobial such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. On the contrary, a nosocomial type of infection needs to be treated as a ventilator-associated pneumonia in agreement with published guidelines. Nevertheless, quantitative culture should be obtained in order to de-escalate antimicrobials. In conclusion, aspiration pneumonia is a frequently encountered disease that can be prevented by relatively simple measures.

A review of the nursing care of enteral feeding tubes in critically ill adults: part I

Enteral tubes are frequently used in critically ill patients for feeding and gastric decompression. Many of the nursing guidelines to facilitate the care of patients with enteral tubes have not been based on current research, but on ritual and opinion. Using a computerised literature search and an evidence-based classification system as described by the Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery (JBI), a comprehensive review was undertaken of enteral tube management. Several nursing practices related to enteral tube management are described. Evidence to support alternate methods of tube placement assessment other than abdominal X-ray was inconclusive. Enteral feeding should continue if gastric residual volumes are not considered excessive, as feeding is often withheld unnecessarily. Frequency of checking gastric residual volumes is largely opinion based and varies considerably, but prokinetics that aid gastric emptying should be used if absorption of feeds is problematic. Other recommendations include continuous rather than intermittent feeding, semi-recumbent positioning to reduce the risk of airway aspiration and diligent artificial airway cuff management. Contamination of feeds can be minimised by minimal, meticulous handling and the use of closed rather than open systems. Generally, there was little high quality evidence to support practice recommendations leaving significant scope for further research by nurses in the management of patients with enteral tubes.

Modifiable risk factors for nursing home-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND

This study sought to identify modifiable risk factors for pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents.

METHODS

A cohort of 613 elderly residents (age, >65 years) of 5 nursing homes in the New Haven, Connecticut, area was followed-up prospectively from February 2001 through March 2003. The primary outcome was radiographically documented pneumonia within a 12-month surveillance period. Baseline modifiable risk factors were evaluated for their independent association with pneumonia.

RESULTS

Of 613 elderly nursing home residents, 131 (21%) died, and an additional 112 (18%) developed a radiographically documented case of pneumonia during the 12-month surveillance period. Among the 9 candidate modifiable risk factors that were evaluated individually in Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for covariates (i.e., nursing home facility, age, race, coexisting conditions, and immobility), inadequate oral care (hazard ratio [HR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.35; P=.024) and swallowing difficulty (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.04-2.62; P=.033) were associated with pneumonia. When modifiable risk factors were evaluated simultaneously in the same Cox proportional hazards model, inadequate oral care (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.04-2.30; P=.030) and swallowing difficulty (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.02-2.55; P=.043) remained independently associated with pneumonia, adjusting for the same covariates. Calculation of population-based attributable fractions showed that 21% of all cases of pneumonia in our cohort could have been avoided if inadequate oral care and swallowing difficulty were not present.

CONCLUSIONS

Two biologically plausible and modifiable risk factors increased the risk of pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents. These results provide a framework for the development and testing of a targeted pneumonia prevention strategy.

Oral health and reduction in respiratory capacity in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly people: a population-based 5-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

Several anaerobic bacteria originating in periodontal pockets have been isolated from infected lungs and pharyngeal microflora. Increased bacterial load in lungs is known to be a risk factor for decline in forced expiratory volume during the first second. The aim was to evaluate both cross-sectionally and longitudinally the association between oral health status and forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1) in older residents of the city of Jyväskylä, Finland.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and prospective cohort study over a 5-year follow-up.

SETTING

Research laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä.

PARTICIPANTS

In 1990 dental status and FEV1 were examined in 203 80-year-old people, of whom 88 survivors were retested 5 years later.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary: dental status and FEV1. Secondary: existence of pulmonary diseases, height, handgrip strength, smoking, and length of education.

RESULTS

Participants were regrouped into three categories according to their baseline oral health status. At baseline, men with complete prostheses had the lowest FEV1. Five years later the greatest reduction in FEV1 was seen in subjects with poor periodontal status or complete prostheses (-9.4%) while those with healthy periodontal status showed no reduction in FEV1 values (+1.0%, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal infections and complete prostheses may be reservoirs for pathogens which may be harmful and partly explain the observed reduction in FEV1 during ageing.

Translating findings of systematic reviews into consensus statements on periodontal therapy

BACKGROUND

The greatest value of the biomedical literature lies not in individual studies, but in the best available evidence within the entire body of evidence. In many fields, including dentistry, systematic reviews, or SRs, have become the preferred method of analyzing and interpreting large amounts of data toward developing clinical practice guidelines.

METHODS

The American Academy of Periodontology, or AAP, formulated clinically relevant, focused questions and developed a protocol for SRs. Reviewers systematically searched online databases and print journals and contacted authors, journal editors and industry experts. For each included study, the reviewers determined the level of evidence and summarized the findings. Centralized management of biostatistics provided consistency. At a structured conference, the reviews were the basis for development of consensus reports that included implications for practice and research.

RESULTS

The SRs provided comprehensive analyses of the best available clinically relevant evidence in key areas of periodontal practice. The reviews also identified knowledge gaps and suggested direction for future studies. The conference focused on translating the findings from the SRs into general consensus statements that described scientific and clinical assessments and implications for research and practice.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Consensus statements based on SRs are important linchpins of modern dentistry. They aid in the development of appropriate treatment protocols for specific clinical circumstances. These protocols, in turn, help ensure the integration of clinically relevant scientific evidence with the expertise of individual clinicians, along with the unique characteristics, needs and wants of individual patients.

Oral health problems in elderly rehabilitation patients

A combination of poor oral hygiene and dry mouth may be hazardous to the oral health status. However, systematic assessments in order to detect oral health problems are seldom performed in the nursing care of the elderly. The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence of oral health problems measured using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG) and to analyse associations between oral health problems and age, gender, living conditions, cohabitation, reason for admission, number of drugs, and functional and nutritional status. One registered nurse performed oral health assessments using ROAG in 161 newly admitted elderly patients in rehabilitation care. Oral health problems were found in 71% of the patients. Thirty per cent of these patients had between four and eight problems. Low saliva flow and problems related to lips were the most frequent oral health problems. Problems in oral health status were significantly associated with presence of respiratory diseases (problems with gums, lips, alterations on the tongue and mucous membranes), living in special accommodation (low saliva flow, problems with teeth/dentures and alterations on the tongue), being undernourished (alterations on the tongue and low saliva flow) and being a woman (low saliva flow). The highest Odds ratio (OR) was found in problems with gums in relation with prevalence of respiratory diseases (OR 8.9; confidence interval (CI) 2.8-27.8; P < 0.0005). This study indicates the importance of standardised oral health assessments in order to detect oral health problems which can otherwise be hidden when the patients are admitted to the hospital ward.

Pneumonia in the very old

Pneumonia is a major medical problem in the very old. The increased frequency and severity of pneumonia in the elderly is largely explained by the ageing of organ systems (in particular the respiratory tract, immune system, and digestive tract) and the presence of comorbidities due to age-associated diseases. The most striking characteristic of pneumonia in the very old is its clinical presentation: falls and confusion are frequently encountered, while classic symptoms of pneumonia are often absent. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and nursing-home acquired pneumonia (NHAP) have to be distinguished. Although there are no fundamental differences in pathophysiology and microbiology of the two entities, NHAP tends to be much more severe, because milder cases are not referred to the hospital, and residents of nursing homes often suffer from dementia, multiple comorbidities, and decreased functional status. The immune response decays with age, yet pneumococcal and influenza vaccines have their place for the prevention of pneumonia in the very old. Pneumonia in older individuals without terminal disease has to be distinguished from end-of-life pneumonia. In the latter setting, the attributable mortality of pneumonia is low and antibiotics have little effect on life expectancy and should be used only if they provide the best means to alleviate suffering. In this review, we focus on recent publications relative to CAP and NHAP in the very old, and discuss predisposing factors, microorganisms, diagnostic procedures, specific aspects of treatment, prevention, and ethical issues concerning end-of-life pneumonia.

Oral hygiene care for adults with dementia in residential aged care facilities

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to report on the best available evidence relating to oral hygiene for adults with dementia in residential aged care facilities, including: INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered any randomised or non-randomised controlled studies, cohort studies, case-control studies, multiple time series studies, uncontrolled studies, descriptive studies and opinions of respected authorities (including theses and other publications) related to residents with dementia living in residential aged care facilities in Australia and overseas; community-dwelling adults with dementia; and special needs adult populations (for preventive oral hygiene care strategies and interventions).The review considered studies and publications designed to:1 quantify the oral health status of older adults living in residential aged care facilities;2 quantify the oral health status of adults with dementia living in the community and in residential aged care facilities;3 evaluate tools used to assess the oral health of residents by staff and carers working in residential aged care facilities;4 evaluate preventive oral hygiene care strategies and interventions used in special needs adult populations (including adults with dementia); and5 evaluate oral health care training and oral hygiene care provision, staff and carers working in residential aged care facilities.Dental outcome measures of interest were those relating to the prevalence, incidence, experiences and increments of oral diseases and conditions including: denture problems, coronal and root caries, periodontal diseases (plaque accumulation, gingivitis, loss-of-attachment), oral mucosal conditions, xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction, tooth loss, difficulty chewing, behavioural problems and pain/discomfort. Related characteristics and outcomes of interest included: medical conditions, medications, cognitive status, functional status, nutritional status and sociodemographics.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The aim of the search was to locate relevant English-language studies and publications appearing between 1980 and 2002. The search utilised a two-step approach, involving an initial search of electronic databases using combinations of key words followed by a second extensive search carried out using the identified key words. This was supplemented with a secondary search of the references cited in the identified studies. Electronic database searched were: Cinahl, Embase, Psycinfo, Medline and Current Contents.

METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY

All selected studies were critically appraised by two reviewers prior to inclusion in the review.

RESULTS

In regards to relevance, incidence, experiences, and increments of oral diseases and conditions, possible risk factors identified included: saliva dysfunction, polypharmacy, comorbid medical conditions, swallowing and dietary problems, increased functional dependence, need for assistance with oral hygiene care, and poor access and utilisation of dental care.Evidence on the use of assessment tools by carers to evaluate residents' oral health showed that successful assessment of residents with and without dementia by nursing staff requires appropriate staff training by a dental professional. Coupled with appropriate training, an oral assessment screening tool designed for residents with dementia has been successfully used by nursing and care staff to identify residents requiring further review by dental professionals. Expert opinion in the field indicates that oral assessment screenings by a staff member and then by a dentist would ideally be undertaken upon admission to a facility, and regularly thereafter by staff and/or dentists as required.Clinicians and researchers suggested that oral hygiene care strategies to prevent oral diseases and conditions were found to be effective in preventing oral diseases, and thus are relevant for use in the resident with dementia.In regards to the provision of dental treatment and ongoing management of oral diseases and conditions, the use of adjunctive and preventive aids were found to be effective when introduced in conjunction with a staff training program:Expert opinion suggests that behaviour management techniques will increase the potential of performing oral hygiene care interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that the training of staff in the form of a comprehensive practically oriented program addressing areas such as oral diseases, oral screening assessment, and hands-on demonstration of oral hygiene techniques and products is likely to have a positive impact on the management of oral hygiene care within residential aged care facilities. The review also identified that regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, use of therapeutic fluoride products and application of therapeutic chlorhexidine gluconate products are validated by research as effective for the general population and some populations with special needs.

The incidence of oral Gram-negative bacteria in patients with Parkinson's disease

Background: Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder that affects an increasing number of older people every year. Dysphagia is not only a common feature, but one that results in poor nutrition and an increased risk of bronchopneumonia. Previous work has suggested that the oral flora is altered in patients with oral pathology. Methods: Fifty patients were assessed to quantify the incidence of oral Gram-negative bacteria. Results: Sixteen of the patients with Parkinson's disease were found to have six different Gram-negative bacilli in their oral cavities. The 20 different Gram-negative bacteria present were Escherichia coli (n=7), Klebsiella spp. (n=3), Kluyvera spp. (n=3), Serratia spp. (n=3), Proteus spp. (n=2) and Enterobacter spp. (n=2). We found that the oral cavity of 16 (32%) of the patients with Parkinson's disease was abnormally colonised with Gram-negative bacteria and that Gram-negative bacteria were more likely to occur in those patients in whom oromuscular dysfunction was present (88% vs. 21%; p<0.05). Conclusion: Further work is required to determine the association between oral flora and the pathogenic organisms found in aspiration pneumonia as well as work on innovative treatments to reduce oral Gram-negative bacteria in those patients at particular risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Associations Between Periodontal Disease and Risk for Nosocomial Bacterial Pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Several recent studies provide evidence that the oral cavity may influence the initiation and/or the progression of lung diseases such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

RATIONALE

Studies have shown that poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease may foster colonization of the oropharyngeal region by respiratory pathogens, particularly in hospital or nursing home patients. If aspirated, these pathogens can cause pneumonia, one of the most common respiratory infections, especially in institutionalized subjects. Other cross-sectional epidemiologic studies point to an association between periodontal disease and COPD. This systematic review examines the literature to determine if interventions that improve oral hygiene reduce the rate of pneumonia in high-risk populations.

FOCUSED QUESTION

Do periodontal diseases or other indicators of poor oral health influence the initiation/progression of pneumonia or other lung diseases?

SEARCH PROTOCOL

MEDLINE, pre-MEDLINE, MEDLINE Daily Update, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched to identify published studies that related variables associated with pneumonia and other lung disease to periodontal disease. Searches were performed for articles published in English from 1966 through March 2002.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), longitudinal, cohort, and case-control studies were included. Study populations included patients with any form of pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and periodontal disease, as measured by assessments of gingival inflammation, probing depth, clinical attachment level, and/or radiographic bone loss, or oral hygiene indices.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Limited to studies of humans.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The summary statistics used to analyze the RCTs included weighted mean differences in rates of disease between control and intervention groups. For cohort studies that measured differences in rates of disease between groups with and without oral disease, weighted mean differences, relative risks, or odds ratios were compared. A meta-analysis was performed on the 5 intervention studies to determine the relationship between oral hygiene intervention and rate of pneumonia in institutionalized patients.

MAIN RESULTS

Of the initial 1,688 studies identified, 36 satisfied all inclusion criteria and were read. Of these, 21 (11 case-control and cohort studies [study population 1,413] and 9 RCTs [study population 1,759]) were included in the analysis. 1. A variety of oral interventions improving oral hygiene through mechanical and/or topical chemical disinfection or antibiotics reduced the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia by an average of 40%. 2. Several studies demonstrated a potential association between periodontal disease and COPD.

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

1. Oral colonization by respiratory pathogens, fostered by poor oral hygiene and periodontal diseases, appears to be associated with nosocomial pneumonia. 2. Additional large-scale RCTs are warranted to provide the medical community with further evidence to institute effective oral hygiene procedures in high-risk patients to prevent nosocomial pneumonia. 3. The results associating periodontal disease and COPD are preliminary and large-scale longitudinal and epidemiologic and RCTs are needed.

Oral disorders and chronic systemic diseases in very old adults living in institutions

This study evaluated whether oral disorders were associated with chronic systemic diseases in 532 Canadian adults who are old and very old and living in institutions. A brief oral examination documented tooth retention, caries, and periodontal and gingival health. Medical records provided information about chronic systemic conditions. A history of stroke was associated with a higher experience of caries, a higher ratio of decayed-to-present teeth, and more gingival and periodontal problems. Participants with high blood pressure, osteoporosis, or diabetes were more likely to be edentulous or to have fewer teeth than participants who did not have these conditions. Participants who had arthritis retained more teeth with age. Participants who had more diseases also tended to have poorer gingival or periodontal conditions, fewer teeth, and higher risk of edentulousness. The associations between systemic diseases and more severe oral disorders may be direct or may be mediated by underlying factors such as health behaviors.

Update on general health risk of periodontal disease

OBJECTIVES

To review the potential of periodontal infections to cause nonoral diseases. Therapeutic recommendations are provided to help patients and dental practitioners prevent systemic complications from periodontal infections.

FINDINGS

Systemic diseases from oral bacteria are mostly caused by transient bacteraemias, which can occur spontaneously from dental foci of infection, from mastication, brushing, flossing or other daily manipulations, or from dental treatments. Examples of systemic infections that may involve oral microorganisms include infective endocarditis, aspiration pneumonia, HIV-related disseminated candidiasis and cancrum oris, septicaemia associated with cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, necrotising faciitis and various other life-threatening infections. Inflamed gingiva constitutes a significant reservoir for herpes viruses, which have the potential to cause serious systemic diseases in immunocompromised patients. Periodontal disease may also aggravate chronic insulin insensitivity and thus interfere with glycaemic control in diabetic patients. Controversy surrounds the involvement of periodontal infections in coronary heart disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative evidence suggests that periodontal disease can be an important cause of morbidity and mortality of various systemic diseases, especially in individuals exhibiting compromised host defence. Maintaining a healthy dentition and periodontium by means of daily oral hygiene practice and regular professional care is the most effective way of preventing systemic diseases from oral infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the oropharyngeal ecosystem of tube-fed patients

We evaluated whether elderly patients fed with nasogastric tubes (NGT) are predisposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in the oropharynx. Fifty-three patients on NGT feeding and 50 orally fed controls with similar clinical characteristics were studied. The tongue dorsum was swabbed and cultured. P. aeruginosa was isolated in 18 (34%) of the NGT-fed group but in no controls (p<0.001). Other gram-negative bacteria were cultured from 34 (64%) of NGT-fed patients as compared with 4 (8%) of controls (p<0.001). Antibiotic susceptibility of the oropharyngeal P. aeruginosa isolates was compared with that of isolates from sputum cultures obtained from our hospital's bacteriologic laboratory. The oropharyngeal isolates showed a higher rate of resistance; differences were significant for amikacin (p<0.03). Scanning electron microscope studies showed a biofilm containing P. aeruginosa organisms. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profile of these organisms was similar to that of P. aeruginosa isolates from the oropharynx. NGT-fed patients may serve as vectors of resistant P. aeruginosa strains.

Risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia in a geriatric hospital: a control-case one-center study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk factors (RFs) and the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia (NP).

DESIGN

Control/case study conducted from January 1 to April 15, 1999. Prospective enrollment.

SETTING

Geriatric university hospital with long-, intermediate-, and short-term care facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

Inpatients aged 65 and older with NP.

MEASUREMENTS

NP diagnosis relied on at least two clinical signs of respiratory infection and on chest radiography. Each NP case was randomly paired with two controls and followed up for 30 days to determine complication and mortality rates. RFs between cases and controls were compared (chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval, significance level P =.05). RFs that were significant in univariate analysis were tested using multivariate analysis and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Seventy-five cases of NP were diagnosed in 2,142 patients. The average incidence rate was 3.5% (short-term facilities = 0.5%; intermediate-term facilities = 8.3%; long-term care facilities = 5.3%). The complication rate was 58.1%. The most frequent complications were recurrent NP, heart and respiratory failure, phlebitis, and pressure ulcers. The NP mortality rate was 12.2%. The independent RFs of NP were a history of NP during the previous 6 months (OR = 4.50) and oxygen therapy (OR = 16.15), P <.001. Additional RFs were severe malnutrition, heart failure, prescription of antibiotics during the month preceding the emerging NP, eating dependency, and feeding by nasogastric tube.

CONCLUSION

The main RF for NP is a history of pneumonia. NP prevention in geriatrics should rely on early management of respiratory infections and malnutrition, surveillance of oxygen therapy and enteral feeding, rational use of antibiotics, and adaptation to the patient's dependency.

Respiratory infection: how important is oral health?

The oral cavity has long been considered a potential reservoir for respiratory pathogens. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the relation between oral flora and respiratory infection among "at-risk" patients such as patients from intensive care units or frail older adults. The mechanisms of infection could be colonization of the oral biofilm by respiratory pathogens followed by aspiration. More recent hypotheses relate to the presence in saliva of enzymes and cytokines associated with oral pathogens, and that could modulate the colonization of the respiratory tract or promote infection by respiratory pathogens. It is the aim of this paper to review the recent literature on this topic.

Comparison of sample collection methods for the PCR detection of oral anaerobic pathogens

AIMS

To provide evidence that DNA-PCR diagnostics of oral pathogens based on standard sample collection by paper point insertion from the depth of the periodontal pocket can be replaced by a novel non-invasive collection method based on swab technique from the gingiva.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study we compared the results from two collection methods performed in 35 patients with chronic adult periodontitis. Statistical analysis showed a highly significant association of diagnostic results between both collection techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pocket-out method represents a reliable alternative to the standard collection technique for PCR diagnosis of oral pathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Due to its simplicity and non-invasiveness, the Pocket-out collection could be performed in any physician office, or even by the patient himself. With respect to the putative association between periodontal disease and various systemic illnesses, this method could be integrated with various screening programs of oral pathogens.

Pathogenic colonization of oral flora in frail elderly patients fed by nasogastric tube or percutaneous enterogastric tube

BACKGROUND

Aspiration of infected oropharyngeal content is the main cause of aspiration pneumonia. This complication, mainly related to gram-negative bacteria, threatens percutaneous enterogastric tube as well as nasogastric tube (NGT) fed patients. The objective of this study was to examine the oral microbiota of tuboenterally fed patients and compare it with that of orally fed counterparts.

METHODS

Patients were recruited for this study from six nursing and skilled nursing facilities with an overall number of 845 beds. Enrolled were 215 patients: Group 1 consisted of 78 patients on NGT feeding, Group 2 consisted of 57 patients on percutaneous enterogastric tube feeding, and Group 3 consisted of 80 patients fed orally who were from the same facilities. Cultures were performed by sampling the oropharynx of each subject in order to identify gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus.

RESULTS

A high prevalence of potentially pathogenic isolations was found in tuboenterally fed patients: 81% in Group 1 and 51% in Group 2, as compared with only 17.5% in Group 3 (p <.0001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured from 31% of the subjects in Group 1 and 10% of Group 2, but in none of Group 3 (p <.001). Klebsiella and Proteus were isolated mainly from the NGT fed patients (p <.003). No correlation was found between the time duration on tube feeding or the presence of residual dentition and pathogenic microbiota.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that tuboenteral feeding in elderly patients is associated with pathogenic colonization of the oropharynx. These findings are related to the risk of aspiration pneumonia and are compelling for the reevaluation of current oral cleansing procedures.

Risk factors for aspiration

BACKGROUND

There are numerous risk factors for aspiration in tube-fed critically ill patients. However, there is confusion about the extent to which these factors actually contribute to aspiration. The purpose of this literature review was to summarize findings from selected research studies.

METHODS

A nonexhaustive literature search was conducted to identify risk factors for aspiration in tube-fed, critically ill patients. The most commonly cited factors were decreased level of consciousness, supine position, presence of a nasogastric tube, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, bolus or intermittent feeding delivery methods, high-risk disease and injury conditions, and advanced age.

RESULTS

Many studies of aspiration risk factors have relatively small sample sizes and used equivocal definitions of aspiration. Although some addressed aspiration as an outcome, others considered gastroesophageal reflux or pneumonia as outcomes. Despite these variations, authors almost uniformly agree that a decreased level of consciousness and a sustained supine position are major risk factors for aspiration. There is less agreement regarding the effect of a nasogastric tube (or its size) on aspiration and on the effect of various formula delivery methods.

CONCLUSIONS

A decreased level of consciousness is a major risk factor for aspiration, as is a sustained supine position. Although some authors favor using small-bore feeding tubes to prevent aspiration, there seems to be insufficient data to warrant this action. Although strong data are lacking regarding feeding delivery methods, there are more data to support continuous feedings than bolus/intermittent feedings in high-risk patients.

Oral disorders in institution-dwelling elderly adults: a graphic representation

This study was conducted to assess the oral health status and dental care needs of elderly adults living in long-term care facilities. Dentists examined 601 elderly adults, living in one of six extended-or intermediate-care facilities, between September 1999 and May 2000. Data from 532 of the subjects were analyzed with descriptive statistics and zero-order inverse polynomials. Using a computer program, the authors compiled summaries of oral health data on individuals and institutional levels. This study suggests that there are numerous unmet dental needs among elderly adults who live in institutions. The CODE index used to assess the oral health of these residents offers a systematic portrayal of oral disorders in terms of severity. As the authors demonstrated, this index can be readily analyzed using zero-order inverse polynomials to summarize collected data into a graphic description, which can be helpful in managing and administrating oral health care interventions in long-term care facilities.

Infectious complications of dental and periodontal diseases in the elderly population

Retention of teeth into advanced age makes caries and periodontitis lifelong concerns. Dental caries occurs when acidic metabolites of oral streptococci dissolve enamel and dentin. Dissolution progresses to cavitation and, if untreated, to bacterial invasion of dental pulp, whereby oral bacteria access the bloodstream. Oral organisms have been linked to infections of the endocardium, meninges, mediastinum, vertebrae, hepatobiliary system, and prosthetic joints. Periodontitis is a pathogen-specific, lytic inflammatory reaction to dental plaque that degrades the tooth attachment. Periodontal disease is more severe and less readily controlled in people with diabetes; impaired glycemic control may exacerbate host response. Aspiration of oropharyngeal (including periodontal) pathogens is the dominant cause of nursing home-acquired pneumonia; factors reflecting poor oral health strongly correlate with increased risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. Bloodborne periodontopathic organisms may play a role in atherosclerosis. Daily oral hygiene practice and receipt of regular dental care are cost-effective means for minimizing morbidity of oral infections and their nonoral sequelae.

The relationship between infections and chronic respiratory diseases: an overview

This paper's goal is to review the relationship between infections and chronic respiratory disease, with particular reference to periodontal disease. The link between oral diseases in general, periodontal disease, and respiratory disease remains somewhat controversial. However, with cooperation between dentistry and medicine, the nature of the connection between dental and medical pathology can be better defined. An overview of respiratory disease and some of the factors that can contribute to respiratory infection is presented below, with special reference to infections related to aspiration.