Risk factors for the development of chest infections in acute stroke: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Chest infections occur in approximately one-third of patients following acute stroke, and are associated with poor outcomes. Limitations in previous reviews restricted the accuracy of results. Objectives: To perform a systematic review to reliably identify modifiable risk factors for chest infections following acute stroke. Methods: Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE and AMED were searched from 1946 to April 2017 for observational studies where risk factors for chest infections in patients hospitalized with acute stroke were reported. Key words used to identify included chest infection or pneumonia. Included studies were evaluated based on methodological criteria and scientif..