Aim The present study aimed to investigate the risk factors and prognostic implications of aspiration pneumonia in older hip fracture patients. Methods A total of 394 female and 125 male hip fracture patients aged ≥60 years who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. To identify risk factors of aspiration pneumonia, demographic factors, the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, past medical history, known risk factors of aspiration and factors associated with surgery were compared between the aspiration pneumonia group and the control group. Regression analysis was also carried out. To assess the prognostic implications of aspiration pneumonia, hospital stay, frequency of the intensive care unit admission and in‐hospital mortality rates were compared between groups. Results Aspiration pneumonia was diagnosed in 8.8% of the hip fracture patients. Increased age, low body mass index, malnutrition, longer duration of surgery and delayed surgery were identified as risk factors of aspiration pneumonia. Regarding prognostic implications, hospital stay, the frequency of intensive care unit care and in‐hospital mortality rates were significantly higher in the aspiration pneumonia group (P < 0.001, <0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Older hip fracture patients with aspiration pneumonia showed worse prognostic outcome compared with patients without aspiration pneumonia. Longer duration of surgery and delayed surgery, as well as patient characteristics including increased age, low body mass index and malnutrition were identified as risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, surgeons should try to reduce the operation time and the time interval between injury and surgery when treating older patients for hip fractures. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 119–123.

Prospective cohort study, Level II.

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