Capacity of the Pectoralis Major Muscle May Be a Prognostic Factor for Aspiration Pneumonia

Abstract

Objective: Aspiration pneumonia is thought to be caused by a decline in respiratory and swallowing function. We aimed to clarify whether the pectoralis major muscle and the rectus abdominis muscles are prognostic factors for aspiration pneumonia and to investigate the relationships between these muscles and nutritional status, swallowing function and sarcopenia, Methods: Medical records of 139 Japanese patients hospitalized for aspiration pneumonia between December 2010 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The volume and thickness of the pectoralis major muscle, the crosssectional area and thickness of the rectus abdominis muscles, and cross-sectional area of the psoas major muscle were measured using computed tomography. Swallowing function, nutritional status, activities of daily living, and prognosis also were evaluated. Results: The volume [Median: (left)

Factors Associated With Diminished Cough Intensity in Community-Dwelling Elderly Using Day Care Services: A Pilot Study

“…Diminished respiratory muscle strength secondary to sarcopenia was significantly associated with a reduced CPF in our current study. A recent study indicated that the capacity of the pectoralis major observed on chest computed tomography may serve as a predictor of aspiration pneumonia (20). A previous study has reported that sarcopenia is associated with the aspiration pneumonia-related mortality rate in elderly patients.…”