Position Affects Pneumonia - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Family Pratice News,  Feb 1, 2000  

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Lying in a semirecumbent position reduced the risk of pneumonia in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients, said Dr. Mitra Drakulovic and colleagues at the University of Barcelona (Spain).

In a randomized trial, microbiologically confirmed pneumonia affected 5% of 39 intensive care unit patients who were cared for in a semirecumbent position. Pneumonia occurred in 23% of 47 patients in a supine position. Enteral feeding and a supine position were independent risk factors for pneumonia.

Other risk factors associated with pneumonia included prolonged mechanical ventilation and decreased consciousness (Lancet 354[9193]:1851-58, 1999).

Mortality did not differ between the groups; a larger study is needed to confirm this finding, the investigators said.

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