The Prevalence of Infection and Sepsis Associated Dysphagia in Hospitalised Patients: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

Little is known about the relationships between infections, sepsis and dysphagia. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with dysphagia in patients admitted to hospital with infections or sepsis. Participants ≥ 18 years admitted to hospital with infections or sepsis caused by pneumonia, urine tract infections or cholecystitis were recruited from an NHS Trust in the UK. Electronic patient record and clinical coding staff screened patient data from 01/02/2022 to 01/02/2023. Patients with previous dysphagia, acute head injuries or stroke were excluded. Those that remained had data extracted from their notes, including age, gender, length of stay (LOS), co-morbidities, and mortality. Data was then analysed using statistical tests, including Logistic regression. Over the study period, 4475 patients (M:2031, F:2444) were admitted with infections (Pneumonia 2465, UTI 1888 and Cholecystitis 401). Of these, 189 (4.2%) developed dysphagia during their inpatient stay (Pneumonia 6.0%, UTI 3.5%, Cholecystitis 0.8%). Additionally, 865 patients (M:434, F:431) were admitted with sepsis (Pneumonia 535, UTI 413 and Cholecystitis 55). Of these, 54 (6.2%) developed dysphagia (Pneumonia 9.3%, UTI 3.4%, Cholecystitis 3.6%). Logistic regression revealed that increasing age, the presence of sepsis, delirium, dementia and Parkinson's disease (PD) were significantly associated with an increased risk of dysphagia (OR = 1.02, 1.74, 1.60, 2.43, 3.88; P = 0.002, 0.013, 0.008, < 0.001, < 0.001). Our study has identified that dysphagia is associated with infections and sepsis. Additionally, patients with PD, delirium or dementia who are not known to have swallowing impairments are at risk of developing dysphagia should they be admitted with infections or sepsis.